Spiritual Messages

[Poem] - சுவாமி விவேகனந்தர் எழுதிய கவிதை (மொழியாக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது)

2012-02-03T23:20:00.000-08:00

Swami Vivekananda Poem Translated in Tamil

அனைத்தும் ஆகி அன்பாகி
அமைபவன் அவனே அவன்தாளில்
உனதுளம் ஆன்மா உடல் எல்லாம்
உடனே தருக என் நண்பா

இவைகள் யாவும் உன்முன்னே
இருக்கும் அவனின் வடிவங்கள்
இவைகளை விடுத்து வேறெங்கே
இறைவனைத் தேடுகின்றாய் நீ

\மனத்தில் வேற்றுமை இல்லாமல்
மண்ணுல கதனில் இருக்கின்ற
அனைத்தையும் நேசித் திடும் ஒருவன்
ஆண்டவனை அவனைத் தொழுபவனாம்

--விவேகானந்தர்

*Above Content taken from wikipedia

[Quotes] - Same Nerve Systems Carry Good and Bad - Swami Vivekananda.

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

We find as a fact that the same nerve systems carry good and bad sensations alike, and when the nerves are injured, neither sensation comes to us. If a certain nerve is paralysed, we do not get the pleasurable feelings that used to come along that wires and at the same time we do not get the painful feelings either. They are never two, but the same.

- Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda Birthday 12th Jan 2012

2012-01-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

Today we are celebrating World's One of the Great Philosopher and Guru Swami Vivekananda Birthday and National Youth Day.

The brave alone do great things, not the cowards. Know once for all, you faithless ones, that I am in the hands of the Lord. So long as I am pure and His servant, not a hair on my head will be touched ... Be brave, be brave! Human beings die but once. My disciples must not be cowards.

Liberation means total freedom--freedom from the bondage of good, as well as from the bondage of evil. A golden chain is as much a chain as an iron one.

We have been low animals once.
We think they are something different from us. ...
The worm that crawls under your feet today is a God to be.

Look here—we shall die! Bear this in mind always, and then the spirit within will wake up. Then meanness will vanish from you, practicality in work will come, you will get new vigor in mind and body, and those who come in contact with you will also feel that they have really got something uplifting from you.

Preach the philosophy, the spiritual part, and let people suit it to their own forms.

The calmer we are and the less disturbed our nerves, the more shall we love and the better will our work be.

External nature is only internal nature writ large.

- Swami Vivekananda.

More info regarding National youth Day: Please follow the link

http://www.belurmath.org/national_youth_day.htm

[Swami Vivekananda] - Build up Your Character & Manifest your Real Nature

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

If I teach you, therefore, that your nature is evil, that you should go home and sit in sackcloth and ashes and weep your lives out because you took certain false steps, it will not help you, but will weaken you all the more, and I shall be showing you the road to more evil than good. If this room is full of darkness for thousands of years and you come in and begin to weep and wail, "Oh the darkness", will the darkness vanish? Strike a match and light comes in a moment. What good will it do you to think all your lives, "Oh, I have done evil, I have made many mistakes"? It requires no ghost to tell us that. Bring in the light and the evil goes in a moment. Build up your character, and manifest your real nature, the Effulgent, the Resplendent, the Ever-Pure, and call It up in everyone that you see.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 2/Practical Vedanta and other lectures/Practical Vedanta: Part IV

Thanks to Inspiring Stories Group of Facebook

[Quotes] - Who Build highways for others with their heart's Blood. - Swami Vivekananda.

2011-10-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

Will such a day come when this life will go for the sake of other's good? The world is not a child's play — and great men are those who build highways for others with their heart's blood. This has been taking place through eternity, that one builds a bridge by laying down his own body and thousands of others cross the river through its help. " Shiva!"

- Swami Vivekananda
25th September, 1894 NEW YORK
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/XLVII Brother disciples

* Thanks to Inspiratinal Messages group

[Quotes] - About Meditation (by Swami Vivekananda)

2011-09-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

Not even the deepest sleep will give you such a rest as meditation can. The mind goes on jumping even in deepest sleep. Just those few moments in meditation your brain has almost stopped. … You forget the body. … You feel such pleasure in it. You become so light. This perfect rest we will get in meditation. - Swami Vivekananda.

Teachings of the Lord Krishna

2011-08-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

Teachings of Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna, is the one of the most loved Gods of the Hindu religion. His teachings on various aspects of human life to Arjuna during the epic battle of Mahabharata are world famous. His teachings were written in form of a book by famously known as Bhagwad Gita. Bhagwad Gita literally means divine songs of Lord. Teachings of the lord, are relevant even in the present age. They are being promoted by a number of spiritual gurus. Few of his important teachings are as follows:

Four Kinds Of actions: According to Lord Krishna there are four kind of Actions or karma that a human can perform they are, Kamya Karma- Actions performed for selfish gains, Nishiddha Karma- Actions that are forbidden bu holy texts and scriptures, Nitya Karma- Actions that must be performed daily and finally Naimittika Karma-Actions that must be performed on certain special occasions. Lord Krishna clearly forbade his devotees to perform the first two kinds of Karmas as they lead to rebirth and laid stress on the performance of the latter two as they help in getting Moksha or Nirvana, in other words, salvation.
Liberation and Bondage: Lord Krishna emphasised on being free from all kinds of negative and positive emotions like, joy, sorrow, grief, happiness, jealousy, as they are all illusions or maya. These emotions are ephemeral. All the beings are bonded due to lack of knowledge but they get free and achieve liberation once they realize that the world is nothing but illusion. All the souls taking birth on the Earth must surrender to Lord, be free form attachments to living and non living objects. One should not be conditioned by body or the worldly things around.
Glory Of Satsanga: Lord Krishna described, 'satsanga' as the fastest means to be closer to him and please him. Satsanga literally means being in the company of Sadhus or the knowledgeable one, as it helps in reducing and finally putting an end to attachment of all kinds.
Withdrawal from Sense-Objects: Lord Krishna preached withdrawal from all the sensory- objects as a means to avoid delusion. All the objects of desire ultimately lead to misery. One must control his senses and not run after the pursuit of desires. As soon as one of the desire is fulfilled, another desire takes its place thus creating a vicious circle. One shoul give up ahmkara or Ego and identify only with God.
Importance of Meditation: Lord Krishna emphasises on the benefits of meditation. It is a means of introspection, looking inside oneself, being close to God and removing oneself from the materialistic world. One should sit in a comfortable position, placing both the hands on the lap and fixing th eyes on the tip of the nose, followed by deep breathing. The mind should be free from all thoughts and chanting only the universal sound of 'Om'.
Path to Life Long Happiness: Lord Krishna describes, Karma(action) Jnana(Knowledge) and Bhakti (Devotion) as the three fold way to attain Lord and please him. This is sure shot way to achieve happiness and Moksha. Being knowledgeable will help perform the right Karma and not worry about the fruit of the action. Devotion to God heps introspect and remove from the worldly desires. The three paths lead to removal of illusion or maya.

Thanks to Om Nama Shivaya Group...

[Swami Vivekananda] [Inspiring Messages] - I AM FEAR OF FEAR, THE TERROR OF TERROR

2011-08-17T23:43:00.000-07:00

I AM FEAR OF FEAR, THE TERROR OF TERROR

" All blessings on you. You come of the blood of a Kshatriya. Our yellow garb is the robe of death on the field of battle. Death for the cause is our goal, not success. Shri wah Guru! . . .

Black and thick are the folds of sinister fate. But I am the master. I raise my hand, and lo, they vanish! All this is nonsense. And fear? I am the Fear of fear, the Terror of terror, I am the fearless secondless One, I am the Rule of destiny, the Wiper-out of fact. Shri wah Guru! Steady, child, don't be bought by gold or anything else, and we win! "

- Swami Vivekananda
26th May, 1900.

* Above content received from Facebook Inspirational Stories & Speeches, Thanks

10 Things to Learn from Japan

2011-06-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

10 things to learn from Japan

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE

People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA

They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!

Thanks to swadhyaya varga groups

[Inspirational Messages] - God Exists

2011-05-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

GOD EXISTS

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things on various subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The barber said: “Look man, I don’t believe that God exists as you say so.” “Why do you say that?”

Asked the client. Well, it’s so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither
suffering nor pain. “I can’t think of a God who permits all of these things.” The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn’t want to respond so as to prevent an argument.

The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy). Then the client againentered the barbershop and he said to the barber: know what?
Barbers do not exist.”

“How come they don’t exist?” Asked the barber. “Well I am here and I am a barber.” “No!” - the client exclaimed. “They don’t exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street.”
“Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me.” “Exactly!”-

Affirmed the client. “That’s the point. God does exist, what happens is people don’t go to Him and do not look for Him that’s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the world.”

We can see only when our eyes are open.The quest for God can be done with an open mind

Thanks to INSPIRING STORIES & THOUGHTS of Facebook.

[Inspirational Messages] - Alphabet of Life A - Avoid Negative Sources

2011-05-26T00:23:00.000-07:00

Alphabet of Life:

A - Avoid Negative Sources, People.
B - Believe in Yourself.
C - Consider things from all angles
D - Don't Give up or Give In
E - Enjoy Life Today. Tomorrow may not come.
F - Family and Friends are Hidden Treasures. Gift of God to you.
G - Give more than you Planned to Give
H - Hang on to your Dreams
I - Ignore those who Discourage you
J - Just Do it!
K - Keep doing no matter how hard it seems! It will become easier.
L - Love yourself First and Most
M – Make it Happen
N - Never Lie, Cheat or Steal. Always strike a fair deal
O – Own up your Mistakes. That is the least you can do
P – Practice makes you Perfect
Q – Quitters Never Win and Winners never Quit
R – Read, Study and Learn everything Important in your Life
S – Stop Procrastinating
T – Take Control of your Destiny
U – Understand yourself better to understand others
V - Visualize It!
W - Want it more than anything
X – Xcellerate your efforts
Y – You are Unique of God’s Creation. Nothing can Replace you
Z – Zero in your target and Go for it.

Thanks to INSPIRING STORIES & THOUGHTS of Facebook.

Buddha Purnima

2011-05-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

Buddha P
urnima

(Buddha's Birthday)

Buddha Jayanthi

or also known as Buddha Purnima is the most sacred festivals of Buddhist. Buddha Purnima (Buddha Birthday) is celebrated in remembrance Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. This day is the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. It falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month (month of Vaisakh) i.e. April or May. This day commemorates three important events of Buddha's life

1 - His birth in 623 BC.

2 - His enlightment i.e. attainment of supreme wisdom, in 588 BC.

3 - His attainment of Nirvana i.e. the complete extinction of his self at the age of 80 in 483 BC.

The occasion marks three most important events in the life of Buddha-his advent, enlightenment and nirvana-about 2,500 years back

This day is a thrice blessed day. Gautam Buddha "lived and died in about the fifth century before the Christian era". Buddha means "enlightened one" - someone who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions.

Gautam Buddha was not a god and the philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world-view. The teachings of the Buddha are solely to liberate human beings from the misery and sufferings of life.

According to the Buddhism, sorrow and desire are the main cause of all the evil and suffering of this world. Lord Buddha advocated the Eightfold Path consisting of precepts like right conduct, right motive, right speech, right effort, right resolve, right livelihood, right attention and right meditation to gain mastery over suffering. It is only after following this path one can reach the ultimate aim of Nirvana. Nirvana is the transcendental state of complete liberation. Gautama Buddha lived and taught in northern India in the 6th Century B.C.

Buddha travelled far and wide teaching hundreds of followers. Even after death his disciples continued to spread his teachings.

Rich and poor alike were attracted by the simplicity of Buddha’s teaching and his emphasis on complete equality of all, a notion antithetical to the existing Hindu caste system. The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka espoused the Buddhist religion in the 3rd century B.C. and helped in spreading it far and wide. Sarnath and Bodhgaya are two of the most important pilgrimage centers for the Buddhists.

Date 2011, May 17

On this day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate three great events: The Birth, Enlightenment and the Passing Away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India to all parts of the world, the teachings were readily assimilated with the cultures of the people who accepted the teachings. On this day all Buddhists are expected to reaffirm their faith in the Buddha Dharma and to lead a noble religious life. It is a day for meditation and for radiating Loving-Kindness.

[Inspirational Stories] - Shut up and Get Out

2011-05-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Shut up and Get Out

Once a reporter asked Swami Chinmayananda if he could give the gist of Advaita Vedant in just couple of words.

Swamiji said in an angry tone, "you want the whole Vedant in two words? Just 'Shut up' and 'Get out'!"

The reporter was baffled.

With a warm smile Swamiji explained with his usual wit; "The whole religious Truth is SHUT UP & GET OUT. Shut up in your mind.. the next thought need not arise... and get out of this misconception that you are a body. You are not a body... You are something more than that.... You are the all pervading internal essence- the Self, the Consciousness, the Life in you. Discover this identity with God, the One life everywhere......

.....and that cannot be done until you SHUT UP!"

* Content from INSPIRATIONAL STORIES & THOUGHTS.

[Messages] - Benefits of Meditation.

2011-04-19T00:03:00.000-07:00

Benefits of meditation - Physiological benefits:
1- It lowers oxygen consumption.
2- It decreases respiratory rate.
3- It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
4- Increases exercise tolerance.
5- Leads to a deeper level of physical relaxation.
6- Good for people with high blood pressure.
7- Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
8- Decreases muscle tension
9- Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis etc.
10- Reduces Pre-menstrual Syndrome symptoms.
11- Helps in post-operative healing.
12- Enhances the immune system.
13- Reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress
14- Enhances energy, strength and vigour.
15- Helps with weight loss
16- Reduction of free radicals, less tissue damage
17- Higher skin resistance
18- Drop in cholesterol levels, lowers risk of cardiovascular disease.
19- Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing.
20- Decreases the aging process.
21- Higher levels of DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
22- prevented, slowed or controlled pain of chronic diseases
23- Makes you sweat less
24- Cure headaches & migraines
25- Greater Orderliness of Brain Functioning
26- Reduced Need for Medical Care
27- Less energy wasted
28- More inclined to sports, activities
29- Significant relief from asthma
30- improved performance in athletic events
31- Normalizes to your ideal weight
32- harmonizes our endocrine system
33- relaxes our nervous system
34- produce lasting beneficial changes in brain electrical activity
35- Cure infertility (the stresses of infertility can interfere with the release of hormones that regulate ovulation).

Psychological benefits:
36- Builds self-confidence.
37- Increases serotonin level, influences mood and behaviour.
38- Resolve phobias & fears
39- Helps control own thoughts
40- Helps with focus & concentration
41- Increase creativity
42- Increased brain wave coherence.
43- Improved learning ability and memory.
44- Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
45- Increased emotional stability.
46- improved relationships
47- Mind ages at slower rate
48- Easier to remove bad habits
49- Develops intuition
50- Increased Productivity
51- Improved relations at home & at work
52- Able to see the larger picture in a given situation
53- Helps ignore petty issues
54- Increased ability to solve complex problems
55- Purifies your character
56- Develop will power
57- greater communication between the two brain hemispheres
58- react more quickly and more effectively to a stressful event.
59- increases one’s perceptual ability and motor performance
60- higher intelligence growth rate
61- Increased job satisfaction
62- increase in the capacity for intimate contact with loved ones
63- decrease in potential mental illness
64- Better, more sociable behaviour
65- Less aggressiveness
66- Helps in quitting smoking, alcohol addiction
67- Reduces need and dependency on drugs, pills & pharmaceuticals
68- Need less sleep to recover from sleep deprivation
69- Require less time to fall asleep, helps cure insomnia
70- Increases sense of responsibility
71- Reduces road rage
72- Decrease in restless thinking
73- Decreased tendency to worry
74- Increases listening skills and empathy
75- Helps make more accurate judgements
76- Greater tolerance
77- Gives composure to act in considered & constructive ways
78- Grows a stable, more balanced personality
79- Develops emotional maturity

Spiritual benefits:
80- Helps keep things in perspective
81- Provides peace of mind, happiness
82- Helps you discover your purpose
83- Increased self-actualization.
84- Increased compassion
85- Growing wisdom
86- Deeper understanding of yourself and others
87- Brings body, mind, spirit in harmony
88- Deeper Level of spiritual relaxation
89- Increased acceptance of oneself
90- helps learn forgiveness
91- Changes attitude toward life
92- Creates a deeper relationship with your God
93- Attain enlightenment
94- greater inner-directedness
95- Helps living in the present moment
96- Creates a widening, deepening capacity for love
97- Discovery of the power and consciousness beyond the ego
98- Experience an inner sense of “Assurance or Knowingness”
99- Experience a sense of “Oneness”
100- Increases the synchronicity in your life

* Content taken through Holy Trio Google Groups, Thanks to the Google Groups and the person who shared with Group.

[Story] - What is purity in daily Life ?

2011-04-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

A young couple move into a new neighborhood. The next morning, while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hang the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean", she said, "she doesn't know how to wash properly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap".

Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look! She has learned how to wash properly. I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said: "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows!"

And so it is with life: "What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. Before we give any criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge."

* Thanks to INSPIRING STORIES AND THOUGHTS group of facebook.

[Stories] - Energy Expands

2011-04-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

Your thoughts become energy. If your thoughts are negative, the energy
is negative; if positive, then the energy is positive. When emotions
become involved with the thoughts, the energy is even stronger. The
energy, however, doesn’t remain dormant — it expands. It expands each
time you think your thought. For example, “I want to buy a new home.”
The more you think this thought, the energy expands and builds, and
the stronger the thought becomes. Dreaming of your “want” builds the
energy more.

As energy builds and gains strength, it begins to attract like energy.
Like a magnet, the energy attracts other like matter to it. Since the
energy is inside you, it attracts the like matter to you. If your
thoughts lean toward the negative, then you are attracting negative
matter — dead end jobs, horrible bosses, bad relationships, never
achieving that which you most want, constant struggle, conflicts,
built up anger, and so on. Whereas, if your thoughts are positive, you
attract positive outcomes and situations.

As you can see, negative thoughts and energy weaken you and your
ability to achieve. Positive thoughts and energy empower you. Whatever
you think, you attract back to you in greater degrees. Literally, your
thoughts do create your reality. Evidence is all around you. Are your
thoughts negative or positive? Do negative or positive situations,
events and people surround you?

Source: Change Your Mind, Change Your Life

Whatever you think that you become.If you have to think ,think good
thoughts,great thoughts - Swami Vivekananda

* Thanks to HolyTrio Google Groups

[Upanyasam] - Sri Nochur Venkaraman (Kurai Ondrum Ilai) in Tamil

2011-03-24T01:40:00.000-07:00

Sri Nochur Venkatraman belongs to the parampara of sages like Adi Sankara and Ramana Maharishi. He is not a ‘swami’ in the usual sense and yet devotees call him so considering his realization.Upanishadic wisdom flows through him with unsurpassed clarity. His discourses on bhakthi and jnana reflect the genuine source of wisdom in him. A brilliant speaker with great knowledge of Sanskrit, Sri Nochur Venkataraman hails from Nochur village near Palakad in Kerala. A brilliant speaker with great knowledge of Sanskrit, Brahma Sri Nochur Venkataraman hails from Nochur village near Palakad in Kerala. Proficient in Malayalam and Tamil, Nochur’s upanayasam of Srimad Baghavatham is a treat to listen to.

Thanks to Ms.Hemalata (Contributor) and Sri Sri V.Hariharan for this discourse

Above content originally copied from download guru. com

Click Here to Download One of the Best Upanyasam of Sri Nochur Venkatraman. (in Tamil)

2011-03-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

SRI BALA TRIPURASUNDARI (In Salem)

Bala Devi is mentioned in Mahakala-Samhita, Mantra Mahodadhi, Sri Lalitopakhyan and Haritayan Samhita or Tripura-Rahasya.

The three eyed Bala Devi has the moon crescent above her forehead and she has in her hands the book and beads, and the other two hands are in Abhay and Dhyan Mudra. She is of red complexion and wears red clothes. Sometimes she is depicted holding Ankusa and Pasa in addition to beads and the book. She is bedecked with the necklace of gems and pearls.
The account of Sri Bala Devi is given in the 22nd chapter of Sri Lalitopakhyan which forms part of Brahmand Purana.

According to this text Sri Bala Devi is said to be the daughter of Sri Lalitmaha Tripura Sundari. At he age of nine years she become terribly angry after seeing the Bandasura and his thirty sons who were marching ahead for a war. Bala Devi requested her mother Maha Bhatarika Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari to allow her to fight with the Bandasura. Permission for which was not allowed by her mother because of her tender age. On her daughter's insistence she not only gave her the permission but also one of her shields and number of her attributes. With this preparation she proceeded on a chariot towards the battle field. After an intense fight she was able to kill the thirty sons of Bandasura.

In Haritayan Samhita or Tripura-Rahasya, (Chapter 63), Bala Devi at the age of eight years is said to have fought directly with Bandasura. Knowing that her mother won't give her the permission she quietly proceeded towards the battle field on a chariot followed by Mantrani and Dandani.

Bala Devi was able to pierce the mighty forces of Bandasura with her rain of arrows and then confronted the Kutilaksh, riding on a mighty elephant, the commander of the forces of Bandasura. Bala Devi showered the arrows on the elephant and thereafter killed Kutilaksh. Bala Devi alone destroyed the army of Bandasura and then directly confronted the Asura. Instead of attacking Bala Devi, Bandasura showered flowery arrows on the Devi. Seeing this the charioteer of Devi was astonished and asked the Devi the reason for the same. Bala Devi said, "In the last incarnation Bandasura was Mahadoot of Srilakshmi and his name was Manik Shekhar. He was an ardent devotee of Bagvati Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari. Because of the curse on him he became Asura and he was told to earn salvation only by being killed by me. Knowing that I am the daughter of Sri Lalita Amba he is worshipping me." The war was destined and both began to fight. After defeating the opponents Bala Devi returned to her abode, Sripuri.

SRI BALA IN SALEM

sri bala resides in a house in salem , and showering her blessings to those who believe her fully which relates to the thatva "saranagathi".

POOJA TIMINGS

Daily poojas are going on and special poojas for sri bala on tuesday, friday and sunday at evening and pournami pooja and very grand poojas are held on every pooram nakshatra dinam. To participate in the poojas please call and ask to the given numbers below as the guru doing poojas won't be available all the days.

contact Numbers : 9715261090 and 9715261080

Few Manthras for Sri Bala's pooja

Bala Stothras : Download Here

Bala Subrapatham : Download Here

Maha Sivarathiri Wishes

2011-03-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Maha Shivaratri

Shivraatri literally means “The night of Shiva”. The celebration is called MAHA SHIV RAATRI, which distinguishes it from MAAS SHIV RAATRI (monthly worship) or DAINIK SHIV RAATRI (daily worship). Maha Shiva Raatri means then, the Great Night of Shiva. Why is this night so special? Are the other nights of Shiva’s worship meaningless or insignificant?

Some thinkers suggest that it is on this auspicious night; Bhagwan Shiva rewards His devotees with “certificate of satisfaction”. Throughout the year, we evolve ourselves in prayers, poojas, in meditation, in chanting and more importantly we attempt to obey the instructions of our Lord. How well have we done is the assessment of the Lord Himself. Have we fulfilled His expectations? Have we practiced Adweshtaa - bearing ill will for no one? Karuna - compassion to all? Nirahamakarah – release from the feeling of “selfishness”? Kshama – forgiveness? On Shivraatri night we analyze ourselves and we scrutinize our spiritual progress. Indeed we reflect on the fleeting nature of our earthly existence. In our mad onrush we pause and crave for His divine grace.

While the celebration varies in its elaborateness from person to person, Mandir to Mandir and country to country, the commonality exists in its blanket of chanting, fasting, and poojas. To many it is considered a VRAT, a term that embraces fast and self-denial for a short period of time during which the celebration lasts. Vrat purifies the body and mind in preparation for the rituals that follow.

Ideally on Shiva Raatri Night, poojas are done on four separate occasions from 6pm to 6am at intervals of three hours. Special Prasad is offered to the Murti and worship is done to the Shiva Lingam. An all night vigil is kept interspersed with Bhajans, Kirtans and Dhoons.

LINGA ASHTAKAM

Bramha Muraari Suraar Chita Lingam Nirmala Bhaasita Shobhita Lingam

Janmaja Dukha Vinaashana Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods adore the Lingam. It is taintless, shining and beautiful.

It is the destroyer of the miseries that follow birth. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Deva Muni Pravaraar Chita Lingam Kaamadahana Karunaakara Lingam

Raavana Darpa Vinaashana Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

The Lingam is adored by the sages and denotes the destruction of lust, the ocean of Mercy,

which subdued the pride and passion of Raavana. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Sarva Sugandhi Sulepita Lingam Buddhi Vivarddha Kaarana Lingam

Siddha Suraasura Vandita Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

The Lingam is lavishly smeared with perfumes and scents, which elevates the power of the mind

and before which the Siddhas, Suras and Asuras prostrate. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Kanaka Mahaamani Bhusita Lingam Phanipati-vestita Shobhita Lingam

Daksha suyajna Vinaashana Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

The Lingam is decorated with various ornaments glowing within the embrace of the Lord of Serpents,

and that obstructed the sacrifices performed by Daksha. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Kumkuma Candana Lepita Lingam Pankaja Haara Sushobhita Lingam

Sanchita Paapa Vinaashana Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

The Lingam is adorned with Saffron, Sandal paste and garlands of lotus flowers, with a large fan shining behind it. It destroys all the sins attained in many births. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Deva Ganarchita Sevita Lingam Bhavari Bhakti Bheereva Cha Lingam

Dina Kara Koti Prabha Kara Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

Saints and Sages worship the Lingam with faith and devotion. It is the source of unlimited brilliance.

We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Ashta Dalo Pari Veshtita Lingam Sarva Samud Bhava Karana Lingam

Ashta Darida Vinashana Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

The Lingam is seated in the eight petal seats, which is the cause of all creations and destroys all kind sad destitution. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Sura Guru Suravara Poojita Lingam Sura Vana Pushpaa Sada Chita Lingam

Paraat Param Paramatmaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

The Guru of the Gods worships the Lingam; they offer flowers grown in the heavenly gardens to

the symbol of the Supreme Soul. We bow before that eternal symbol of Shiva.

Understanding the Symbols of Shiva Murti

Shiva or Shankar means auspiciousness, favourable, propitious, gracious, kind, benign, benevolent and friendly. In the Shiva Puran the One thousand names of Shiva are mentioned. Some of these well known names are: MAHADEO- The great God. BHAIRAV-The Terrible. MAHAKAAL-Mighty time. TRILOCHAN-The three-eyed. TRIPURAARI - The enemy of Lust, Hatred and Anger. NEELKANTHA-The blue throated. CHANDRASHEKAR-The moon crested. GANDGAADHAARA - The bearer of Ganga. GRIRISH - The Lord of the mountains. HARA - The seizer. PASHUPATI - The Lord of animals. VISHWANATH -The Lord of the Universe. These names represent the Exploits, States or Attributes.

COLOUR: White represents purity, absence of darkness and triumph of wisdom over ignorance.

THREE-EYES: Knowledge of past, present and future. Third eye is that of knowledge.

MATTED HAIR: The vastness of space.

TIGER SKIN: Destruction of animalistic tendencies. Complete mastery over lower desires.

GANGA: Flow of knowledge.

SERPENT MALA: Fearlessness and longevity.

CRESCENT MOON: Sharpness of Intellect and controller of Time.

DAMARU: Originator of all sounds.

TRISHUL: Three gunas-rajo, saatwa and tamo. Lord Shiva transcends the three gunas.

Vande Deva Uma Patim Sur-Guroom Vande Jagat Kaaranam

Vande Pan-Nag Bhooshanam Mrigdharam Vande Pashunaam Patim

Vande Soorya Shashaanka Vanhi-Nayanam Vande Mukunda Priyam

Vande Bhakti-Janaa-Shrayam Ch Vardam Vande Shivam Shankaram

My obeisance to Lord Shiva, who is the spouse of Uma, who is the supreme among the Gods, who is the primordial cause of the Universe. Obeisance to Lord Shiva whose ornaments are the serpent and the moon, who is the Lord of all animals and whose eyes are the Sun, moon and fire. Obeisance to Shankar who is the beloved of Mukund and who is the benefactor and the refuge of all devotees.

Om Namah Shivaaya

[Messages] - We Are What We Think - Lord Buddha

2011-02-07T01:31:00.000-08:00

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or act with an impure mind and trouble will follow you, like the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or act with a pure mind and happiness will follow you, as your shadow unshaken
.
In this world, hate never yet dispelled hate. Only love dispels hate. This is the Law, ancient and inexhaustible. We are what we think.

-- Lord Buddha

2011-01-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

How to gain bhakti?

2010-12-06T08:32:00.000-08:00

One must chant without ceasing the name of the Lord and His glories.

And keep company of the holy one must frequently go to God's bhaktas, or sadhus.

One's mind does not fix itself on the Lord while living night and day in the midst of worldly activities and family life. Hence, one must go into solitude now and then to meditate on God. In the first stage it is very hard to fix the mind on the Lord unless one frequently goes into solitude.

When the plant is young, it needs a hedge around it. Without the hedge goats and cows eat it up.

The mind, the solitary corner and the forest are the places where you will meditate. And you will always have good thoughts in your mind. The Lord alone is real, i.e. the eternal substance, and all else is unreal, i.e. transitory. Discriminating thus, you will shake off attachment to the perishable things of the world.

-Sri Ramakrishna

Happy Diwali 2010

2010-11-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

~ Let's Celebrate the Festival of LIGHTS ~
Happy Diwali to you All.

* Chinese (Traditional) - 迪瓦里祝愿 2010

[Mantra] - Gayatri Mantra with Complete Meaning.

2010-10-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Gayatri Mantra and Scientific Implication

GAYATRI MANTRA AND

MANTRA'S SCIENTIFIC INTERPRETATION

Gayatri mantra has been bestowed the greatest importance in Vedic dharma. This mantra has also been termed as Savitri and Ved-Mata, the mother of the Vedas.

Om bhur bhuvah swah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

The literal meaning of the mantra is:

O God! You are Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Almighty, You are all Light. You are all Knowledge and Bliss. You are Destroyer of fear, You are Creator of this Universe, You are the Greatest of all. We bow and meditate upon Your light. You guide our intellect in the right direction.

The mantra, however, has a great scientific importance too, which somehow got lost in the literary tradition. The modern astrophysics and astronomy tell us that our Galaxy called Milky Way or Akash-Ganga contains approximately 100,000 million of stars. Each star is like our sun having its own planet system. We know that the moon moves round the earth and the earth moves round the sun along with the moon. All planets round the sun. Each of the above bodies revolves round at its own axis as well. Our sun along with its family takes one round of the galactic center in 22.5 crore years. All galaxies including ours are moving away at a terrific velocity of 20,000 miles per second.

The alternative scientific meaning of the mantra
Line by Line

Line 1:

OM BHUR BHUVAH SWAH:

Bhur the earth, bhuvah the planets (solar family), swah the Galaxy. We observe that when an ordinary fan with a speed of 900 RPM (rotations Per minute) moves, it makes noise. Then, one can imagine, what great noise would be created when the galaxies move with a speed of 20,000 miles per second. This is what this portion of the mantra explains that the sound produced due to the fast-moving earth, planets and galaxies is Om. The sound was heard during meditation by Rishi Vishvamitra, who mentioned it to other colleagues. All of them, then unanimously decided to call this sound Om the name of God, because this sound is available in all the three periods of time, hence it is set (permanent). Therefore, it was the first ever revolutionary idea to identify formless God with a specific title (form) called upadhi. Until that time, everybody recognized God as formless and nobody was prepared to accept this new idea. In the Gitaalso, it is said, "Omiti ekaksharam brahma", meaning that the name of the Supreme is Om , which contains only one syllable (8/12). This sound Om heard during samadhi was called by all the seers nada-brahma a very great noise), but not a noise that is normally heard beyond a specific amplitude and limits of decibels suited to human hearing. Hence therishis called this sound Udgith musical sound of the above, i.e., heaven. They also noticed that the infinite mass of galaxies moving with a velocity of 20,000 miles/second was generating a kinetic energy = 1/2 MV2 and this was balancing the total energy consumption of the cosmos. Hence they named it Pranavah, which means the body (vapu) or store house of energy (prana).

Line 2: TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM:

Tat that (God), savitur the sun (star), varenyam worthy of bowing or respect. Once the form of a person along with the name is known to us, we may locate the specific person.Hence the two titles (upadhi) provide the solid ground to identify the formless God, Vishvamitra suggested. He told us that we could know (realize) the unknowable formless God through the known factors, viz., sound Om and light of suns (stars). A mathematician can solve an equation x2+y2=4; if x=2; then y can be known and so on. An engineer can measure the width of a river even by standing at the riverbank just by drawing a triangle. So was the scientific method suggested by Vishvamitra in the mantra in the next portion as under:-

Line 3:
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI:

Bhargo the light, devasya of the deity, dheemahi we should meditate. The rishi instructs us to meditate upon the available form (light of suns) to discover the formless Creator (God). Also he wants us to do japa of the word Om (this is understood in the Mantra). This is how the sage wants us to proceed, but there is a great problem to realize it, as the human mind is so shaky and restless that without the grace of the Supreme (Brahma) it cannot be controlled. Hence Vishvamitra suggests the way to pray Him as under:

Line 4:

DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT

Dhiyo (intellect), yo (who), nah (we all), prachodayat (guide to right Direction). O God! Deploy our intellect on the right path. Full scientific interpretation of the Mantra: The earth (bhur), the planets (bhuvah), and the galaxies (swah) are moving at a very great velocity, the sound produced is Om , (the name of formless God.) That God (tat), who manifests Himself in the form of light of suns (savitur) is worthy of bowing/respect (varenyam). We all, therefore, should meditate (dheemahi) upon the light (bhargo) of that deity (devasya) and also do chanting of Om. May He (yo) guide in right direction (prachodayat) our(nah) intellect dhiyo.

The important points hinted in the mantra are

1) The total kinetic energy generated by the movement of galaxies acts as an umbrella and balances the total energy consumption of the cosmos. Hence it was named as the Pranavah
(body of energy). This is equal to 1/2 mv2
(Mass of galaxies x square of velocity.)

2) Realizing the great importance of the syllable OM , the other later date religions adopted this word
with a slight change in accent,
viz., Amen and Ameen.

* Thanks to Holytrio google Groups.

[Music] - Tibetan Flute - Deep Relaxation (Very Inspired)

2010-09-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

[Messages] - Practical Vedanta - Swami Vivekananda

2010-09-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

There is this strongly conservative tendency in human nature: we do not like to move one step forward. I think of mankind just as I read of persons who become frozen in snow; all such, they say, want to go to sleep, and if you try to drag them up, they say, "Let me sleep; it is so beautiful to sleep in the snow", and ...

they die there in that sleep. So is our nature. That is what we are doing all our life, getting frozen from the feet upwards, and yet wanting to sleep. Therefore you must struggle towards the ideal, and if a man comes who wants to bring that ideal down to your level, and teach a religion that does not carry that highest ideal, do not listen to him. To me that is an impracticable religion. But if a man teaches a religion which presents the highest ideal, I am ready for him. Beware when anyone is trying to apologise for sense vanities and sense weaknesses. If anyone wants to preach that way to us, poor, sense-bound clods of earth as we have made ourselves by following that teaching, we shall never progress. I have seen many of these things, have had some experience of the world, and my country is the land where religious sects grow like mushrooms. Every year new sects arise. But one thing I have marked, that it is only those that never want to reconcile the man of flesh with the man of truth that make progress. Wherever there is this false idea of reconciling fleshly vanities with the highest ideals, of dragging down God to the level of man, there comes decay. Man should not be degraded to worldly slavery, but should be raised up to God.

For More Please Refer: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda - Vol 2http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_2/Practical_Vedanta_and_other_lectures/Practical_Vedanta:_Part_I

[Messages] - Power of Thought (Swami Vivekananda)

2010-09-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

Blame none for your own faults, stand upon your own feet, and take the whole responsibility upon yourselves. Say, “This misery that I am suffering is of my own doing, and that very thing proves that it will have to be undone by me alone.” That which I created, I can demolish; that which is created by someone else I shall never be able to destroy.

Therefore, stand up, be bold and be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and succor you want is within you.
Therefore, make your own future, “Let the dead past bury its dead.” The infinite future is before you, and you must always remember that each word, thought, and deed, lays up a store for you and that as the bad thoughts and bad works are ready to spring upon you like tigers, so also there is the inspiring hope that the good thoughts and good deeds are ready with the power of a hundred thousand angels to defend you always and forever.

- Swami Vivekananda.

Message of Swami Vivekanandha

2010-08-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

In future do not pay any heed to what people say either for or against you or me. Work on, be lions; and the Lord will bless you. I shall work incessantly until I die, and even after death I shall work for the good of the world. Truth is infinitely more weighty than untruth; so is goodness. If you possess these, they will make their way by sheer gravity.

Enough of books and theories. It is the life that is the highest and the only way to stir the hearts of people; it carries the personal magnetism. . . . The Lord is giving me a deeper and deeper insight every day. Work, work, work. . . . Truce to foolish talk; talk of the Lord. Life is too short to be spent in talking about frauds and cranks

You must always remember that every nation must save itself; so must every man; do not look to others for help. Through hard work here, I shall be able now and then to send you a little money for your work; but that is all. If you have to look forward to that, better stop work. Know also that this is a grand field for my ideas, and that I do not care whether they are Hindus or Mohammedans or Christians, but those that love the Lord will always command my service.

-Swami Vivekananda.

Many paths to attain the GOD

2010-08-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

Four Wives [Story]

2010-08-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!"

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives

a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.

b. Our 3rd wife? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament.

[Poem] - Very Inspired Swami Vivekananda Poem

2010-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Year: 1896

All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction.
Love is therefore the only law of life.
He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying.
Therefore love for love's sake,
because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live.

- Swami Vivekananda

Shravan Mela [Info]

2010-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

SHRAVAN MELA

JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2010

The month of Shrawan is filled with devotional fervours for the devotees of Lord Shiva. The full moon day to full moon day festival - Guru poornima to Rakhi Poornima - is the most devoted worship filled with austerities and faith though not marked with festive colours as we have for Diwali or Durga Puja.

The worship is offered at all Jyotirlinga shrines throughout the month, more particularly on Mondays and the last day - Shravan Poornima day falling on August 24, 2010.

Jyotirlingam, ‘the linga of light’ is so called as the God is in the symbolic form of a stone tinctured with a cycle of light. The Jyotirlinga is an attempt by humans to give a form to the formless Brahman.

The twelve temples with Jyotrilinga in India are:

Somnath Temple at Saurashtra in Gujarat.
Mallikarjun Temple in Srisailam, or Shrishailam, in Andhra Pradesh.
Mahakal Temple, or Mahakalaswar, in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh.
Omkar Temple, or Amishvar, at Omkareshwar on the banks of Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
Kedarnath Temple or Kedareshwar in Uttarakhand.
Bhimashankar Temple at Dhakini in Maharashtra.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, or Viswesh, at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Trimbakeshwar Temple near Nasik on the banks of Gautami River in Maharashtra.
Baidyanath Dham or Vaidyanath Temple at Deoghar in Jharkhand.
Nageshwar Temple near Dwarka in Gujarat.
Rameshwaram Temple in Tamil Nadu.Grishneshwar
Temple Near Ellora in Maharashtra.

For the people of Bihar and Jharkhand, visit to holy Jyotirlinga shrine at Baidyanath, Deoghar is an important form of worship of Lord Shiva during Shrawan month. Lakhs of devotees called as “Kanwarias” carry water from Ganga for offering to Lord Shiva. The name Kanwarias comes from the pole the yatris carry called ‘Kanwar’ on their shoulders. Pots with Ganga Water hang from the two sides of the pole.

Nearly a million Kanwarias carry Ganga water from Sultanganj, to the famous Deogarh Shiva Temple during Shravan Mela. Some prefer to walk the entire stretch from there home to the River Ganges silently chanting prayers. Some go in groups singing praise of Lord Shiva. Some devotees create a Mela atmosphere by travelling on trucks and carts with loudspeakers playing different types of music. Then there are the relay marthon runners called ‘dak kanwarias.’ In it each yatri runs a certain distance and is then taken over by another yatri.

Numerous Hindu spiritual organizations and other voluntary organizations setup camps along the National Highway during the Kanwar Yatra. The Kanwarias are provided food, shelter and safe place to keep the Ganga water.

The Shiva temple of Deoghar is a recognized place of Siddh. With the slogans of ‘Bol-Bam, Bol Bam’ the environment of the region becomes spiritually elevated one. From the first day of Shrawan month, which started on July 27, 2010 lacs of devotees will travel to Deoghar for 105 kilometers, taking the holy water from Sultanganj’s uttarvahini Ganga wearing the traditional saffron dresses and as Kanwariyas. The devotees will devote the holy water to one of the twelve jyotirlinga’s of Mahadev Shiva and will be the participant of virtue.

More over this holy place is further sanctified by the foot prints of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna during his pilgrimage to here, on his way to Varanasi. It was in the month of January 1868, Sri Ramakrishna accompanied with 125 persons headed by Mathurnath Babu visited this holy shrine. And it was here the first relief operations of Ramakrishna Order was inaugurated by Sri Sri Ramakrishna Himself. During his stay here, Sri Ramakrishna happened to see the miserable plight of men and women. He requested Mathur to feed them and to give pieces of cloth to each of them. Thus, Sri Ramakrishna’s “Shiva jnane, jiva seva” was started here as he saw the Lord of Baidyanath in the faces of those poor ones.

(Lord Ravaneshwar at Baidyanath, Deoghar)
Shiva known for his name “Asutososhin” – one who is easily pleased, is the beloved deity of people of all walks of life - school going children, married ones and the sannyasins.

May the Lord Shiva bless us all for pure devotion towards Him!!

Thanks to Nishthatmananda

[Lyrics] - (Madhurashtakam) Adharam Madhuram (with Meaning)

2010-07-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Madhurashtakam in Sanskrit
Adharam Madhuram, Vadanam Madhram,
Nayanam Madhuram, Hasitham Maduram,
Hrudhayam Madhuram, Gamanam Maduram,
Madhuradhipather Akhilam Madhuram.

Vachanam Madhuram, Charitham Madhuram,
Vasanam Madhuram, Valitham Madhuram,
Chalitham Madhuram, Bramitham Maduram,
Madhurathipather Akhilam Madhuram.

Venur Madhuro, Renur Madhuraha,
Panir Madhuraha, Padhou Madhuram,
Nrithyam Madhuram, Sakhyam MadhuraM,
Madurathipather Akhilam Maduram

Geetham Madhuram, Peetham Madhuram,
Bhuktham Madhuram,Suptham Madhuram,
Roopam Madhuram, Thilakam Madhuram
Madhurathipather akhilam Madhuram.

Karanam Madhuram, Tharanam Madhuram,
Haranam Madhuram, smaranam Madhuram,
Vamitham Madhuram, Samitham Maduram,
Madhurathipather akhilam Madhuram.

Gunja Madhura, Mala Madhura,
Yamuna Madhura, Veechi Madhura,
Salilam Madhuram, Kamalam Madhuram,
Madhurathipather akhilam Madhuram.

Gopi Madhura, Leela Madhura,
Yuktham Madhuram, Muktham Madhuram,
Drishtam Madhuram,Sishtam Madhram,
Madhurathipather akhilam Madhuram

Gopa Madhura, Gavo Madhura,
Yashtir Madhura, Srushtir Madhra,
Dhalitham Madhram, Phalitham Madhuram,
Madhurathipather akhilam Madhuram.

Meaning of Madhurashtakam

Sweet are thine lips, Krishna,
So are thine sweet cherubic face,
Sweet are thine jet black eyes, Krishna
So is thine soulful laugh,
Sweet is thine loving heart, Krishna
So is thine beautiful gait,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet.

Sweet are thine sweetest words, Krishna,
So is thine divine story.
Sweet is the place of your stay , Krishna,
So is thine greatness,
Sweet are thine movements , Krishna,
So is thine confusion.
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet.

Sweet is thine flute , Krishna,
So is thine foot-dust,
Sweet are thine hands Krishna,
So are thine feet.
Sweet is thine dance Krishna,
So is thine friendship.
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet.

Sweet is thine song, Krishna,
So is what you drink,
Sweet is what you eat, Krishna,
So is your sleep,
Sweet are thine looks , Krishna,
So is thine Thilaka,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet.

Sweet are thine deeds, Krishna,
So is thine path of salvation,
Sweet is thine theft , Krishna,
So is thine play of love,
Sweet are thine oblations, Krishna,
So is thine tranquility,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet

Sweet is thine necklace of berries, Krishnam
So is thine garland,
Sweet is thine river Yamuna, Krishna,
So are the ripples in the river,
Sweet is thine water , Krishna,
So is the lotus in the water,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet.

Sweet are thine Gopis , Krishna,
So is thine playful sport,
Sweet are thine right thoughts,Krishna,
So is thine salvation,
Sweet is what you see, Krishna,
So is what is left out,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet

Sweet are thine Gopas , Krishna,
So are thine cows,
Sweet is thine staff, Krishna,
So is thine creation,
Sweet is what you trample , Krishna,
So are thine jokes,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet

* Content taken from Youtube, thanks to the original uploader

[Messages] - போலியானவன் யார்? - பகவன் ஸ்ரீ ராமகிருஷ்ணர்

2010-07-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

ஊரார் வசைமொழிக்கு பயந்து வெளி வேடம் திரித்து தர்மத்தை கடைபிடிப்பவன் தர்மவான் ஆக மாட்டான். ஒருவரும் இல்லாத வீட்டில் காணப்படும் பொன் முடிப்பை எவனொருவன் எடுத்து கொண்டு போக இச்சைபடமாட்டானோ அவனே தர்மவான். மௌனமாகவும் மறைவாகவும் கடைபிடிக்கப்படும் தர்மமே தர்மம். வீண் பெருமையுடன் படாடோபத்துடன் செய்யப்படும் தர்மம் போலிச்செயல்களேயாம்.

- பகவன் ஸ்ரீ ராமகிருஷ்ணர்

God gave me Everything

2010-07-15T08:04:00.001-07:00

When I Asked God for Strength
He Gave Me Difficult Situations to Face

When I Asked God for Brain & Brown
He Gave Me Puzzles in Life to Solve

When I Asked God for Happiness
He Showed Me Some Unhappy People

When I Asked God for Wealth
He Showed Me How to Work Hard

When I Asked God for Favors
He Showed Me Opportunities to Work Hard

When I Asked God for Peace
He Showed Me How to Help Others

God Gave Me Nothing I Wanted
He Gave Me Everything I Needed

- Swami Vivekananda

Never try to judge... :)

2010-06-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

Once a old man and his 25 years old son were going in train.

The son sat next to window and started looking outwards, then shouted,"Dad look the trees are going behind.."

Dad smiled...

And a young couple siting near looked at the 25 yrs old behaving childishly, with pity..

suddenly he again exclaimed, "Dad look the clouds running with us"

Couple couldn't resist and said 2 old man,"Why don't you take your son to a good doctor?"

Old man smiled and said, "We did and we are just coming from hospital... my son was blind from birth and just got his eyes today!"

Moral: Don't jump to a conclusion directly.. because many times what you see, hear and feel is not the TRUTH!

ஆசை என்றொரு அழிவு

2010-06-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

"ஆசையே அழிவுக்கு காரணம்". - இதை சொல்லாத ஆத்மஞானிகளே கிடையாது. பகவான் கிருஷ்ணரில் இருந்து, இயேசு, புத்தர், மஹாவீரர் என எல்லா பரமாத்மாக்களும், இந்த கருத்தை வலியுறுத்த தவறவில்லை.

ஆடம்பரமான உடைகள் அணிவதில் இருந்து, ருசியான உணவுகள், சொகுசு கார்கள், நகைகள், பதவி, பணம், பங்களா, அழகான பெண்கள், புகழ், ஏன் நல்ல பெயற்கும் கூட ஆசை படுபவர்களை, நம்மை சுற்றியும் பார்க்க முடிகிறது. எதற்கும் ஆசை படாதவர்கள் யாரேனையும் பார்ப்பது என்பது கிட்டத்தட்ட நடை முறையில் சாத்தியபடாத ஒன்று என்றே கூறலாம்.

அப்படி "ஆசை" இருந்தால் தான் என்ன? ஆசை தானே, மனிதனை ஒரு இலக்கை நோக்கி அடைய செய்யும் கருவி!. ஆம், ஆசை என்பது ஒரு நல்ல கருவி தான், நம் இலக்குகள் சரியாக இருக்கும் போது மட்டும்... "அத்தனைக்கும் ஆசைப்படு" என்று சத்குரு ஜக்கி வாசுதேவ் கூறுகிறார். ஆனால் ஆசைகள் பரிசுத்தமாய் இருக்கட்டும் என்றும் ஒரு நிபந்தனை!. பள்ளியில் படிக்கும் மாணவன், தான் படித்து பெரிய டாக்டர் ஆக வேண்டும் என்று எண்ணுகிறான் என கொள்வோம். எதற்கு என்று கேட்டால், பொருளிள்ளதவர்களுக்கு, இலவசமாக மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை அளிப்பதற்கு என்று கூறுகிறான். இந்த உயர்ந்த லட்சியம், அவன் மருத்தவன் ஆன பின்பும் தொடர்ந்தால், அவன் படிக்கும் போது கொண்ட "ஆசை", உண்மையிலேயே உயர்ந்தது எனலாம். ஆனால் எத்தனை ஆசைகள் இப்படி ஆரம்பித்த படியே நீடிக்கின்றன?.

"உயர்ந்த ஆசைகள்" என்பதை எப்படி வரையறுக்க முடியும்? பகவத் கீதை, புலன் இன்பங்களில், உயர்ந்த யோகி, பற்று (ஆசை) வைக்க மாட்டான் என்று கூறுகிறது. புலன் இன்பங்கள், மனதுடன் தொடர்பு உடையவை. மனதை கட்டுப்படுத்த முடியாதவனே, புலன் இன்பங்களில் ஆசை வைக்கிறான். இந்த ஐம்புலன்களை மகிழ்ச்சி படுத்தும் செயல்கள் ஆகிய பார்த்தல், கேட்டல், ருசித்தல், நுகர்தல் மற்றும் தொடுஇன்பம் ஆகியவைகளை பொறுத்த ஆசை, தாழ்ந்தவைகள் என்று கூறப்படுகிறது. இந்த புலன் இன்ப ஆசைகள், எத்தகைய விளைவை ஏற்படுத்தும் என பகவத் கீதை கீழ் படி கூறுகிறது.

"த்யாயதோ விஷயான்பும்ஸ: ஸங்கஸ்தேக்ஷுபஜாயதே
ஸங்காத்ஸஞ்சயாதே காம: காமாத்க்ரோதோபிஜாயதே" (2.62 )

"க்ரோதாத்பவதி ஸம்மோஹா: ஸம்மோஹாத்ஸ்ம்ருதிவிப்ரம:
ஸ்ம்ருதிப்ரம்சாத் புத்திநாசோ புத்திநாசாத்ப்ர்ணச்யதி" (2.63)

சதா உலக விசயங்களை யோசித்து கொண்டு இருக்கும் மனிதனுக்கு அதில் பற்று உண்டாகிறது. பற்றினால் ஆசை (காம:) உண்டாகிறது. ஆசையினால் கோபம் உண்டாகிறது. கோபத்தால் மனக்குழப்பம் ஏற்படுகிறது. மனக்குழப்பத்தால் நாம் பெற்ற "புத்தி" யில் நாசம் உண்டாகிறது. புத்திநாசம் (அறிவு அகன்ற நிலை) ஏற்பட்டவனுக்கு நன்மை எனபது ஏது?

இவ்வாறு, இந்த இரண்டு ஸ்லோகங்கள் பொருள் தருகின்றன. எத்தனை அழகான மற்றும் ஆழமான ஆராய்ச்சி!!!. அடிப்படையை ஆராய்ந்து அதன் முடிவு வரை விளக்குகிறது, இந்த ஸ்லோகங்கள். அக ஆராய்ச்சியில் நிலை கொண்டவன், உலக விஷயங்களுக்காக பெரிதாக அலட்டி கொள்வதில்லை. மேலும் அவன் தன் ஆத்ம சுகம் ஒன்றையே உயர்வென கருதுகிறான், போன்ற விளக்கங்கள் உண்மையில் உலக பொருட்களுக்கான ஆசைகள் துச்சமானவைகள் தான் என ஆணித்தரமாய் கூறுகிறது.

மேலும் ஆசையின் அடிப்படையான குணங்கள் என்ன என்றும், அது எங்கே குடி கொண்டுள்ளது என்றும் கூட கீதை தெளிவு பட கூறுகிறது.

"ஆவ்ருதம் ஜ்ஞானமேதென ஜ்ஞானினோ நித்யவைரிணா
காமரூபேண கௌந்தேய துஷ்பூரேணானலேன ச" (3.39)

"இந்திரியாணி மனோ புத்தி ரஸ்யாதிஷ்டானமுச்யதே
ஏதைர்விமோஹயத்யேஷ ஜ்ஞானமவ்ருத்ய தேஹினம்" (3.40)

கீதை யை பொறுத்தமட்டில், ஆசை (காமம்) என்பது ஞானிகளின் பரம எதிரி என்று வர்ணிக்க படுகிறது. மேலும் ஆசை (காமம்) பெற்றுள்ள குணங்கள் என மூன்று விஷயங்கள் கூறப்படுகிறது. அவை : "நெருப்பிற்கு சமமானது", "விரும்பிய வடிவை பெற வல்லது" மற்றும் "ஒருபோதும் அடைவதால் திருப்தியுராதது அதாவது ஒருபோதும் முழுமை அடையாதது". (3.39)

"புலன்கள், மனம், புத்தி" இந்த மூன்றும் தான் ஆசையின் இருப்பிடங்கள். மேலும் ஆசையானது "மனம், புத்தி மற்றும் இந்திரியங்கள் (புலன்கள்)" ஆகியவற்றை ஆட்கொண்டு, ஞானம் எனும் பரம்பொருளை மறைத்து நிற்கின்றது. (3.40)

இந்த இரண்டு ஸ்லோகங்கள், ஆசையின் குணங்கள் மற்றும் இருப்பிடத்தை நமக்கு விளக்கமாக கூறுகிறது. நமது எதிரியின் குணங்கள் நமக்கு தெரிந்தால், அவனை எப்படி வீழ்த்தலாம் என்பது பற்றி தெளிவான வியூகம் அமைக்க முடியும். அது போல அவன் எங்கே இருக்கிறான் எனவும் தெரிந்து விட்டால், தாக்குவது மிக சுலபமாக கூடும். இந்த இரண்டு ஸ்லோகங்கள் அதற்குத்தான் வழி அமைத்து கொடுக்கிறது. ஞானியின் ஜென்ம விரோதியாக "ஆசை" கூறப்படுகிறது. மேலும் அதன் குணங்கள் தெள்ள தெளிவாக விவரிக்க படுகிறது. முதலில் நெருப்பினை போன்றது என்பதன் மூலம், அது அழிக்கும் தன்மையை பெற்று இருக்கிறது என கூறப்படுகிறது. மேலும் நெருப்பு எரிவதற்கு பொருட்கள் கொடுக்கப்படும் வரையில் அது மேலோங்கி வளர்ந்து கொண்டே தான் இருக்கும். அது போல, ஆசையிடம், அது விரும்பும் பொருளை கொடுத்தாலும், அது இன்னும் வளர்ந்து கொண்டே தான் இருக்கும். இரண்டாவதாக, ஆசை விரும்பிய வடிவை (காமரூபேண) பெற வல்லது என கூறப்படுகிறது. முதலில் "பொருளாசை" எனில், அதை அடக்கி விட்டாலும், "பெண்ணாசை", "புகழாசை", என பல புதிய வடிவில் வந்து நம்மை ஆட்கொள்ளும். எனவே, ஆசைக்கு விரும்பிய வடிவம் பெரும் குணம் உள்ளது எனப்படுகிறது. மூன்றாவதாக, ஆசை ஒரு போதும் திருப்தி அடையாதது என கூறப்படுகிறது. ஒருவன், சிப்பாயாக இருந்து, தளபதியாக வேண்டும் என்று ஆசை கொண்டால், அவன் தளபதியாக ஆகும் போது, அவன் மன்னனாக வேண்டும் என்று புது ஆசை, அதாவது திருப்தி அடையாமல் அடுத்த நிலை நோக்கிய ஆசை புகுந்து விடுகிறது. இப்படி ஆசையின் குணங்கள் விளக்க படுகிறது.

மேலும் ஆசை, எங்கு குடி கொண்டு இருக்கிறது என்றால், அது "புலன்கள்", "மனம்", "புத்தி" என்ற மூன்றின் மீதும் குடி கொண்டு இருக்கிறது. புலன்கள் என்பது நம் உடலின் அங்கங்கள். மனம் என்பது புலன்களை விட நுண்ணியது ஆனால் அதை விட சக்தி வாய்ந்தது. புத்தி, மனதை விட நுண்ணியது மற்றும் சக்தி வாய்ந்தது. எடுத்த எடுப்பில் சிகரத்தை தொட்டு விடுவதை முயற்சிப்பதை விட, படி படியாக செல்வது சிறந்தது. அது போல, முதலில் புலன்களை அடக்கி அதன் மூலம் மனம், புத்தி என்ற இரண்டையும் அடக்கலாம் என கூறப்படுகிறது. எப்படி, புகை சூழ்ந்து இருக்கும் நெருப்பினை காண முடியாதோ, அது போல, ஆசை சூழ்ந்து இருக்கும் ஞானத்தை காண முடியாது எனவும் கூறப்படுகிறது.

ஆசைகள், உண்மையில் எதிர்பார்ப்புகளை தூண்டி விடுகிறது. எதிர்பார்ப்புகள் நிறைவேறாத போது, கோபம் வருகிறது. பின் அதன் வழியாக அனைத்து கெட்ட எண்ணங்களும், நம் உள் புக ஆரம்பிக்கின்றன. உலகெல்லாம் ஒளி விடும் சூரியனை, கையாலோ, பிற பொருட்களாலோ மறைக்க நினைப்பதை விட, நம் கண்களை மட்டும் மூடி கொள்வது புத்திசாலி தனம் அல்லவா. அது போல, ஆசைகள் அனைத்தையும் நிறைவேற்றி விட துடிப்பதை விட, ஆசைகளையே அடக்குவது தான் மிகவும் சிறந்தது என நினைக்கிறேன்.

தன் வாழ்நாளில் எப்படியாவது ஒரு சைக்கிள் மட்டும் வாங்கி விட்டால் போதும் என்ற ஒருவனது ஆசை, அடுத்து அவன் சைக்கிள் வாங்கிய பின், மோட்டார் சைக்கிள், கார் என அடுத்த கட்டத்தை நோக்கி பயணிக்கிறது. உண்மையில் அவனுக்கு மோட்டார் சைக்கிள் அல்லது கார்களுக்கான தேவை இல்லாவிடினும் அவற்றை அடைய நினைக்கும் ஆசையில், அவனே தன்னை துன்பத்தில் ஆட்படுத்தி கொள்ள விழைகிறான். இவ்வாறு தேவைக்கு மேல் உள்ள ஆசைகளின் பிடியில் சிக்காதவர்கள் உண்மையில் எத்தனை பேர்? ஆசைக்கு அளவு தான் ஏது?

வாழ்க்கையில் துன்பம் அற்று வாழ்வதற்கு, புத்தர் நான்கு உண்மை கோட்பாடுகளை குறிப்பிடுகிறார். அவை,

எல்லா உயிர்களும் துன்பத்தை உள்ளடக்கியவை.
எல்லா துன்பங்களும், ஆசைகளில் இருந்து உண்டானவை.
எல்லா துன்பங்களும், ஆசைகளை அகற்றும் போது முடிகின்றன.
அதனால் எல்லா துன்பங்களுக்கும் முடிவு காண வழி (ஆசைகளை அகற்றுதல்) உள்ளது.

எத்தனை சிறந்த கருத்துகள்.

"ஆசையே அழிவு" என்று பரமாத்மா மகாவீரரும் குறிப்பிடுகிறார். அவர் ஒரு நாள், காட்டில் தவம் செய்து கொண்டு இருக்கும் போது, குளிரால் நடுங்கி கொண்டு இருந்த ஒரு ஏழையை பார்த்தார். தான் அணிந்து இருந்த வஸ்திரத்தின் பாதியை கிழித்து கொடுத்து அந்த எளியவனுக்கு உதவி செய்தார். அந்த ஏழை, மகாவீரர் அளித்த அந்த துணி மிகவும் விலை உயர்ந்தது என தெரிந்த கொண்ட படியால், மீதி பாதியையும் அவரிடம் இருந்து பெற்று விட வேண்டும் என ஆசை கொண்டான். மீதி பாதியை, அவரிடம் கேட்டு பெற்று விடலாம் என, மகாவீரர் இருக்கும் இடத்திற்கு சென்றான். அப்போது அவர் ஆழ்ந்த தியானத்தில் இருந்தார். அதிர்ஷ்ட வசமாக, மீதி பாதி துணியும் கீழே விழுந்து கிடந்தது. "கேட்டு பெற வேண்டும்" என்று கிளம்பியவன், ஆசை மிகுதியால், அவருக்கு தெரியாமலேயே அதை அடைந்து விட எண்ணினான். இங்கே, "அகங்காரம்", அல்லது "நற்பெயருக்கான ஆசை" புதிதாக அவனிடம் எட்டி பார்த்து விட்டது. அதாவது, "நான் இவரிடம் கேட்டு பெற வேண்டுமா?" என்ற அகங்காரமோ, அல்லது, "மறுபடியும் இவரிடம், மீதி துணியை கேட்டால், இவர் என்னை தப்பாக நினைக்க கூடும். எனவே தெரியாமல் எடுத்து சென்றால் அவர் என்னை தப்பாக நினைக்க மாட்டார்" என்ற "நற்பெயருக்கான" ஆசையோ அவனிடத்தில் புதிதாக தோன்றியது. எனவே, திருட துணிந்தான். திருடிய பின், காலில் முள் குத்தியதால் சத்தம் போட மகாவீரர் விழித்து கொண்டார். இந்நிலையில் சிறிதும் கோப படாத மகாவீரர், "இந்த மீதி பாதி துணியில் நான் கொண்ட ஆசை அல்லவா, இவனை திருடனாக மாற்றியது" என்று நினைத்து வருந்தினாராம். எத்தனை பெரிய ஞான நிலை!!!.

உண்மையில் ஆசைகளை, நாம் நமக்காக மட்டுமே உருவாக்கி கொள்வதில்லை. அவைகள் நம்மில் இருந்து நம் பரம்பரைகள், அல்லது நம்மை சார்ந்தவர்கள் என எல்லோரிடமும் விதைத்து கொண்டும் தான் இருக்கிறோம். நான் மருத்துவன் ஆக முடியவில்லை என்பவன், தன் மகனை எப்படியும் டாக்டர் ஆக்கி விட வேண்டும் என்ற முனைப்பில், சில தவறேனும் (பணம் கொடுத்து) செய்து தன் மகனை மருத்துவ கல்லூரியில் சேர்த்து விடுகிறான். ஆனால் உண்மையாக அந்த படிப்பை பெற வேண்டிய ஒரு மாணவனது ஆசைகள் அடக்கப்பட்டு, அங்கே அடுத்த ஆசைக்கான விதை விதைக்கப்படுகிறது. அந்த ஆசைகள் நிறைவேறாத மாணவன், அடுத்து தன் வாரிசு மூலம் விட்டதை அடைய நினைக்கிறான். அல்லது தன் நிலைக்கு மாற்றான ஒரு தவறான வழியை கையில் எடுத்து ஆசைகள் அடங்காத கோபத்தை பிறர் இடத்தில் காட்டுகிறான். எனவே ஆசை எந்த வகையிலும் நம்மை மட்டும் பாதிப்பவை அல்ல. அவைகள் பிறரின் வாழ்க்கையையும் மாற்றி அமைக்க வல்லது. "கோபம், வக்கிரம் போன்ற புதல்வர்களை பெற்ற அன்னை - ஆசை" என்று ஒரு சொல்லும் உண்டு.

ஆசையை உண்மையில் அடக்குவது என்பது ஒரு மிக பெரிய கலை. இதை நம்மால் தனியே நின்று சாதிப்பது என்பது மிகவும் கடினம். "கடவுள் பக்தி" என்ற ஒரு நண்பனின் உதவி கொண்டே அதை சாதிக்க முடியும் என்று நினைக்கிறேன். நண்பர்களே, ஆசை என்பதே இல்லாத வாழ்க்கை வாழ முடியா விடினும், முடிந்த வரை தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே ஆசை கொள்ள முயலுவோம். படிப்பதையும், நினைப்பதையும் செயல்முறை படுத்தும் சக்தியை, எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவன் நமக்கு கொடுத்து துணை புரிவாராக ("தெய்வ பக்தி" இல்லாத நண்பர்கள் எனின் மன உறுதியை, இறைவன் என பொருள் கொள்க).

"சர்வம் கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்" (கிருஷ்ணா - கிருஷ்+ந. "கிருஷ்"- சுழற்சியான பிறப்புகள். "ந" - நிறுத்துபவன்)

[Messages] - நம்மை நாமே செதுக்கிக் கொள்ளல் - சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர்

2010-06-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர் கூறியவைகளை, உன் எதிர்காலம் உன் கையில் என்ற புத்தகமாகத் தொகுத்து ஸ்ரீராமகிருஷ்ண மடம் வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

அந்த புத்தகத்தில் இடம்பெற்றிருப்பவற்றை தமிழ்.வெப்துனியா.காம் வாசகர்களுக்காக அளிக்கின்றோம்.

மனிதனின் வெளிப்பொறிகள் அமைந்துள்ள இந்த உடல் தூலவுடல் எனப்படுகிறது. சமஸ்கிருதத்தில் இதை ஸ்தூல சரீரம் என்பர். இதற்குப் பின்னால்தான் புலன், மனம், புத்தி, நான் - உணர்வு என்ற தொடர் அமைகிறது. இவையும், உயிர்ச் சக்திகளும் இணைந்த ஒன்றே நுண்ணுடல் அல்லது சூட்சும சரீரம். இந்தச் சச்திகள் மிக நுட்பமான அணுக்களால் ஆனவை. எத்தகைய தீங்கு ஏற்பட்டாலும் இந்த உடம்பு அழியாத அளவுக்கு அவை நுட்பமானவை. எந்த விதமான கேடும் அதிர்ச்சியும் சூட்சும உடலைப் பாதிப்பதில்லை.

நம் கண்ணுக்குப் புலனாவதான தூலவுடல் பருப்பொருளால் ஆனது. எனவே அது தொடர்ந்து புதுப்பிக்கப்படுகிறது. மாறுபடுகிறது. உட்கருவிகளான மனம், புத்தி, நான் - உணர்வு என்பவை மிக மிக நுட்பமான பொருளால் ஆனவை. எனவே பல யுகங்களானாலும் அவை அழியாமல் இருக்கும். வேறு எதுவுமே தடை சய்ய முடியாத அளவிற்கு நுட்பமானவை இவை. இவை எந்தத் தடைகளையும் கடந்துவிடும். இந்தத் தூலவுடல் அறிவற்றது, நுண்ணுடலும் அதுபோன்றது தான். ஆனால் இது சற்று நுட்பமான ஜடப்பொருளால் ஆக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

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இந்த நுண்ணுடலின் ஒரு பகுதி மனம், ஒரு பகுதி புத்தி, ஒரு பகுதி நான் - உணர்வு. ஆனாலும் இவற்றில் எந்த ஒன்றும் `அறிபவன்' ஆக முடியாது. இவற்றுள் எதுவும் பார்ப்பவனாக, சாட்சியாக, யாருக்காக அறிவுச் செயல் நடக்கிறதோ அவனாக, நடக்கும் செயலைப் பார்ப்பவனாக ஆக முடியாது. மனத்திலும் புத்தியிலும் நான் - உணர்விலும் ஏறப்டும் இயக்கங்கள் எல்லாம் இவை அல்லாத வேறு யாருக்காகவோதான் இருக்க வேண்டும். இவை நுட்பமான ஜடப்பொருள் அணுக்களால் ஆனவை. ஆதலால் தன்னொளி உடையவையாக இருக்க முடியாது. இவற்றின் ஒளி இவற்றிற்குச் சொந்தமானதாக இருக்க முடியாது. எடுத்துக்காட்டாக இந்த மேஜையை எந்த ஜடப் பொருளும் உருவாக்கியிருக்க முடியாது. எனவே இவற்றிற்கெல்லாம் பின்னால் யாரோ ஒருவர் இருக்க வேண்டும், இவரே எல்லா தோற்றங்களுக்கும் உண்மைக் காரணமானவர். உண்மையாகவே எல்லாவற்றையும் அனுபவிப்பவர். இவரையே வடமொழியில் ஆத்மன் என்கிறார்கள். இவரே மனிதனின் உண்மை ஆன்மா.

உடல் ஒவ்வொரு நிமிடமும் அழிந்து கொண்டே இருக்கிறது. மனமோ தொடர்ந்து மாறியபடி இருக்கிறது. உடல் பலவற்றின் சேர்க்கை, மனமும் அத்தகையதே, எனவே இவை எல்லா மாறுதல்களுக்கும் அப்பாற்பட்ட நிலையை அடைய முடியாது. ஆனால் தூலப் பொருளான இந்த மெல்லிய உறையையும், இதற்கு அப்பாலுள்ள மனம் என்ற நுட்பமான உறையையும் தாண்டி இருக்கிறது ஆன்மா. இதுவே மனிதனது உண்மைத் தத்துவம். இது நிலையானது. என்றுமே பந்தப்படாதது. இதன் அழியாமை, சுதந்திரம் ஆகிய தன்மைகளே எண்ணம், ஜடப் பொருள் போன்ற போர்வைகளை ஊடுருவி, பெயர் உருவம் என்ற நிறங்களைக் கடந்து, சுதந்திரம் அழியாமை என்ற தன்மைகளை வற்புறுத்தி நிற்கிறது.

மிகவும் தடித்த அஞ்ஞானம் என்ற போர்வைகளையும் ஊடுருவி இந்த ஆன்மாவின் அழிவின்மையும், ஆனந்தமும், அமைதியும், தெய்வீகமும் பிரகாசித்து, நாம் இவற்றை உணரும்படிச் செய்கின்றன. ஆன்மாதான் உண்மை மனிதன். அவன் பயமும் அழிவும் பந்தமும் அற்றவன்.

வெளிச்சக்தி எதுவும் பாதிக்க முடியாத போது, எந்த மாறுதல்களையும் உண்டாக்க இயலாதபோதுதான் சுதந்திரம் என்பது இருக்க முடியும். எல்லா நியதிகளுக்கும், எல்லா எல்லைகளுக்கும், எல்லா விதிகளுக்கும், காரண காரியம் எல்லாவற்றிற்கும் அப்பால்தான் சுதந்திரம் என்பது இருக்க முடியும்.

எனவே எந்த வகை மாறுதலுக்கும் உட்படாததுதான் சுதந்திரமாகவும் அழிவற்றதாகவும் இருக்க முடியும். இருக்கின்ற இதுதான் அதாவது மனிதனது உண்மைத் தத்துவம்தான் ஆன்மா. இது மாறுதல் இல்லாதது, கட்டுப்பாடுகளுக்கு உட்படாதது. எனவே இதற்குப் பிறப்பும் இல்லை, இறப்பும் இல்லை.

ஒவ்வொரு மனித ஆளுமையையும் ஒரு கண்ணாடிக் கோளத்திற்கு ஒப்பிடலாம். ஒவ்வொன்றின் நடுவிலும் இறைவனிடமிருந்து வெளிப்படும் தூய வெள்ளொளி இருக்கிறது. ஆனால் கண்ணாடிகள் பல நிறங்களிலும், பல கனங்களிலும் இருப்பதால் வெளிவரும் கதிர்கள் பல்வேறு தோற்றங்களைப் பெறுகின்றன. எல்லா நடு ஒளிகளும் ஒரே மாதிரியானவை, ஒரே அழகைக் கொண்டவை, வித்தியாசமாகத் தோன்றுவதற்குக் காரணம் அது வெளிப்படுகின்ற புறக் கருவிகளில் உள்ள குறைபாடுகளே. நாம் மேலே உயர உயர, அந்தக் கருவி மேலும் தெளிவாக ஒளி வீசும் தன்மையை அடைகிறது.

நன்றி : ஸ்ரீராமகிருஷ்ண மடம், மயிலாப்பூர், சென்னை - 4.

சுவாமி விவேகானந்தரின் பொன்மொழிகள்

2010-06-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

ஒரு முறை சுவாமிஜி இருக்கும் மடத்திற்கு வந்த ஒரு சீடர் அங்கே இருந்த களஞ்சியப் புத்தகங்களின் தொகுதியை ஆச்சரியத்துடன் பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்தார்.

அவர் விவேகானந்தரிடம் வியப்புடன் கூறினார் ' இந்தப் புத்தகங்கள் எல்லாவற்றையும் ஒரு பிறவியில் படித்து முடிப்பது இயலாத காரியம்' என்றார். சுவாமி விவேகானந்தரோ அந்தப் புத்தகங்களில் பத்துப் பகுதிகளை முடித்துவிட்டுப் பதினோராம் பகுதியைப் படித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார் என்பது சீடருக்குத் தெரியாது.

சுவாமி விவேகானந்தரோ அந்த சீடரிடம் ' என்ன சொல்கிறா நீ? முதல் பத்துப் பகுதிகளில் என்ன கேள்வி வேண்டுமானாலும் கேள். நான் பதில் சொல்கிறேன்?' என்றார்.

சீடரோ திகைப்புடன் ' என்ன, இந்த நூல்களை எல்லாம் படித்து விட்டீர்களா?' என்றார்.

சுவாமிஜியோ 'படிக்காமல் கேள்வி கேட்கச் சொல்வேனா? என்றார்.

சீடர் சுவாமிஜி சொல்வதால் அவரிடம் புத்தகத்தில் முதல் பத்துப் பகுதிகளிலிருந்து வெவ்வேறு விதமாக பல கேள்விகளை வெவ்வேறு பக்கங்களிலிருந்தும் கேட்டார்.

சுவாமிஜியோ அசராமல் அனைத்திற்கும் பதிலும் விளக்கமும் சில இடங்களில் அந்த புத்தகத்தின் மொழியிலேயே அவற்றை எடுத்துக் கூறி அசர வைத்தார்.

சீடர் புத்தகத்தை வைத்து விட்டு 'இது மனித ஆற்றலால் முடியாத காரியம்!' என்றார்.

ஆனால் சுவாமிஜியோ 'ஏன் முடியாது. இதோ பார், பிரம்மச்சரியத்தை (கட்டுக்கோப்பான ஒழுக்கத்தையும் தியானத்தையும் வழுவாமல் கடைபிடித்தல்) ஒழுங்காக கடைப்பிடிப்பது ஒன்றால் மட்டுமே எல்லா கலைகளும் கணநேரத்தில் கைவசப்படும்; ஒருமுறை கேட்பவற்றைத் தவறின்றி நினைவில் கொள்ளவும், மீண்டும் அதை அப்படியே ஒப்பிக்கவும் முடியும். இத்தகைய பிரம்மச்சரியம் இல்லாமையால் தான் நமது நாட்டில் எல்லாம் அழிவின் எல்லைக்கே வந்துவிட்டன' என்றார்.

இந்த பிரம்மச்சரியத்தை கடைபிடிப்பதால் உண்டாகும் சக்தியை பற்றி சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர் மேற்கொண்டு விளக்குகிறார். குறைவாகவோ அதிகமாகவோ ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனிடமும் ஓஜஸ் (மனித ஆற்றல் அனைத்தும் ஓர் இடத்தில் குவியும் சக்தி) சேமித்து வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

உடலில் செயல்படுகின்ற எல்லா ஆற்றல்களும் அவற்றின் மிகவுயர்ந்த நிலையில் ஓஜஸாக மாறுகின்றன. ஒரு சக்திதான் இன்னொரு சக்தியாக மாறுகிறது என்பதை மனதில் கொள்ள வேண்டும். வெளியில் மின்சாரமாக, காந்த சக்தியாகச் செயல்படுகின்ற அதே சக்தி தான் அகச் சக்தியாக மாறுகிறது. தசைச் சக்தியாக செயல்படுபவைதாம் ஓஜஸாக மாறுகிறது. அதே சக்தி தான் பாலுறவு சக்தியாக, பாலுணர்ச்சியாக வெளிப்படுகிறது.

இவ்வகையில் வெளிப்படும் சக்தியை கட்டுப்படுத்தினால் எளிதில் ஓஜஸாக மாறுகிறது. நம்மிடம் இருப்பது ஒரே சக்தி தான். அதை தான் நாம் பல்வேறு நிலைகளில் உபயோகிக்கிறோம். எனவே எவ்வெவற்றிர்கு சக்தியை செலவிடவேண்டும் என்பதில் தெளிவு பெற வேண்டும்.

ஒழுக்கமுடைய ஆண்களும் பெண்களும் மட்டுமே ஓஜஸை மேலே எடுத்துச் சென்று மூளையில் சேமிக்க முடியும். அதனால் தான் பிரம்மச்சரியம் மிகச் சிறந்த ஒழுக்கமாகக் கருதப்படுகிறது. பிரம்மச்சரியத்திலிருந்து வழுவினால் ஒருவனிடமிருந்து ஆன்மீகம் நீங்கி விடுவதையும் மனவலிமையையும் ஒழுக்க வீரியத்தையும் அவன் இழந்துவிடுவதையும் உணர முடியும்.

இந்தக் காரணத்தினால் தான் பெரிய ஆன்மீக வீரர்களைத் தந்துள்ள எல்லா மதங்களும் சிறிதும் வழுவாத பிரம்மச்சரியத்தை எப்போதும் வற்புறுத்துவதைக் காண்கிறோம். இதே காரணத்தினால் தான், திருமணம் செய்து கொள்ளாத துறவியர் தோன்றினர்.

எண்ணம், சொல், செயல் அனைத்திலும் அப்பழுக்கற்ற பிரம்மச்சரியம் (கட்டுக்கோப்பான ஒழுக்கத்தையும் தியானத்தையும் வழுவாமல் கடைபிடித்தல்) அவசியம்.

- சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர்.

Happy Narasimha Chardurthi

2010-05-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

Narasimha also spelt as Narasingh and Narasinga, is an avatara of Vishnu described in the Puranas, Upanishads and other ancient religious texts of Hinduism, and one of Hinduism's most popular deities, as evidenced in early epics, iconography, and temple and festival worship for over a millennium. He is often visualized as half-man/half-lion, having a human-like torso and lower body, with a lion-like face and claws. This image is widely worshiped in deity form by a significant number of Vaishnava groups, particularly in Southern India. He is known primarily as the 'Great Protector' who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need.

The Story of Narasimha

The story of Narasimha as described in the Bhagavata Purana is as follows: In his previous avatara of Varaha, Vishnu killed a rakshasa known as Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha's brother Hiranyakashipu, greatly angered by this, started to abhor Vishnu and his followers. To which end he decides to attempt to kill Vishnu by gaining mystical powers, which he believes Brahma, the chief among the devas will award him if he undergoes many years of great austerity and penance. This initially seems to work as planned with Brahma becoming pleased by Hiranyakashipu's austerities. Brahma thus appears before Hiranyakashipu and offers him a boon that he will personally make true anything he wishes for. In reply to which Hiranyakashipu requests the following:

O my lord, O best of the givers of benediction, if you will kindly grant me the benediction I desire, please let me not meet death from any of the living entities created by you. Grant me that I not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Grant me that my death not be brought about by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal.

Grant me that I not meet death from any entity, living or nonliving. Grant me, further, that I not be killed by any demigod or demon or by any great snake from the lower planets. Since no one can kill you in the battlefield, you have no competitor. Therefore, grant me the benediction that I too may have no rival. Give me sole lordship over all the living entities and presiding deities, and give me all the glories obtained by that position. Furthermore, give me all the mystic powers attained by long austerities and the practice of yoga, for these cannot be lost at any time.

One day while Hiranyakashipu was performing austerities at Mandaracala Mountain, his home was attacked by Indra and the other devas. At this point the divine sage, Narada intervened to protect Kayadu, whom he describes as 'sinless'. Following this event Narada takes Kayadu into his care and while under the guidance of Narada, her unborn child (Hiranyakashipu's son) Prahlada, became affected by the transcendental instructions of the sage even at such a young stage of development. Thus, Prahlada when later growing as a child began to show symptoms of this earlier training by Narada, gradually becoming recognised as a devoted follower of Vishnu, much to his father's disappointment.

Hiranyakashipu eventually becomes so angry and upset at his son's devotion to Vishnu (whom he sees as his mortal enemy) that he decides he must kill him, but each time he attempts to kill the boy, Prahlada is protected by Vishnu's mystical power. When asked, Prahlada refuses to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the universe and claims that Vishnu is all-pervading and omnipresent. To which Hiranyakashipu points to a nearby pillar and asks if 'his Vishnu' is in it:

"O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described a supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?" Prahlada then answers, He was, He is and He will be. In an alternate version of the story, Prahlada answers He is in pillars, and he is in the smallest twig. Hiranyakashipu, unable to control his anger, smashes the pillar with his mace, and then following a tumultuous sound, Vishnu in the form of Narasimha appears from it and in defence of Prahlada moves to attack his father. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu and not upset the boon given by Brahma, the form of Narasimha was chosen. Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by human, deva or animal, Narasimha is neither one of these, as he is a form of Vishnu incarnate as a part-human, part-animal.

He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his thighs (neither earth nor space). Using his sharp fingernails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon. Kurma Purana describes the preceding battle between the Purusha and demoniac forces in which he escapes powerful weapon called, pashupata and it describes how Prahladas brothers headed by Anuhrada and thousands of other demons "were led to the valley of death (yamalayam) by the lion produced from the body of man-lion" avatara.p.85: K.P.1.15.70 The same episode occurs in the Matshya Purana 179, several chapters after its version of the Narasimha advent.

The Bhagavata Purana further narrates: even after killing Hiranyakashipu none of the present demigods were able to calm Narasimha's fury, not even Shiva. So all the gods and goddesses called his consort, Lakshmi, but she was also unable to do so. Then, at the request of Brahma, Prahlada was presented to Narasimha, and finally,
he was calmed by the prayers of his devotee. Before parting, Narasimha rewards the wise Prahlada by crowning him as the king.p.84

In the Shiva Purana, there is a distinctly Shaiva version of a traditional avatar myth:
Shiva brings forth Virabhadra, one of his terrifying forms, in order to calm Narasimha. When that fails, Shiva manifests as the human-lion-bird Sharabha. The story concludes with Narasimha becoming a devotee of Shiva after being bound by Sharabha. The Sharabha story is also retold in the Linga Purana. However, Vaishnava followers including Dvaita scholars, such as Vijayindra Tirtha (1539-95) dispute this view of Narasimha based on their reading of Sattvika Puranas and Śruti texts.

Based on this story, it is believed by followers that Narasimha protects his sincere devotees when they are in extreme danger. He saved Adi Sankara from being sacrificed to the goddess Kali by a Kapalika. Thus Adi Sankara composed the powerful Laksmi-Narasimha stotra.

Mode of worship

Due to the nature of Narasimha's form (divine anger), it is essential that worship be given with a very high level of attention compared to other deities. In many temples

only life-long celibates (brahmacarya) will be able to have the chance to serve as priests to perform the daily puja. Forms where Narasimha appears sitting in a yogic posture, or with the goddess Lakshmi are the exception to this rule, as Narasimha is taken as being more relaxed in both of these instances compared to his form when first emerging from the pillar to protect Prahlada.

SRI NARASIMHA ASHTOTHRAM

Om Narasimhaya Namah

Om Mahasimhaya Namah

Om Divyasamhaya Namah

Om Mahabalaaya Namah

Om Ugrasimhaya Namah

Om Mahadevaaya Namah

Om Sthambha-jaaya Namah

Om Ugralochanaaya Namah

Om Raodraya Namah

Om Sarwa-adbhutaaya Namah

Om Srimad yogaanandaaya Namah

Om Trivikramaaya Namah

Om Haraye Namah

Om Kolaahalaaya Namah

Om Chakrine Namah

Om Vijayaaya Namah

Om Jayavardhanaaya Namah

Om Pamchanaaya Namah

Om Parabramhane Namah

Om Aghoraaya Namah

Om Gora-vikramaya Namah

Om Jwalanmukhaya Namah

Om Jvalaa maaline Namah

Om Mahajvalaaya Namah

Om Maha prabhave Namah

Om Nitalaakshaya Namah

Om Saha-srakashaya Namah

Om Durni-rikshaya Namah

Om Prataapanaaya Namah

Om Mahadamstrayudhaya Namah

Om Pragnyaya Namah

Om Chanda kopine Namah

Om Sadaasivaaya Namah

Om Hiranyakasipu dwamsine Namah

Om Daityadaanava bhamjanaaya Namah

Om Guna bhadraya Namah

Om Maha bhadtraya Namah

Om Bala bhadhraya Namah

Om Subhadragaaya Namah

Om Karaalaaya Namah

Om Vikaraalaya Namah

Om Vikarte Namah

Om Sarwakartrukaya Namah

Om Shimshumaaraaya Namah

Om Trilokaatmane Namah

Om Eshaaya Namah

Om Sarveshvaraaya Namah

Om Vibhave Namah

Om Bhairavaadambaraaya Namah

Om Divyaya Namah

Om Achyutaaya Namah

Om Kavaye Namah

Om Maadavaaya Namah

Om Adokshaya Namah

Om Aksharaaya Namah

Om Sharvaya Namah

Om Vanamaaline Namah

Om Parapradaaya Namah

Om Vishwam-bharaaya Namah

Om Adbhutaaya Namah

Om Bhavyaya Namah

Om Sri vishnave Namah

Om Purushottamaaya Namah

Om Anaghastraya Namah

Om Nakhastraya Namah

Om Suryajothishe Namah

Om Sureshwaraaya Namah

Om Saha sabrahave Namah

Om Sarvagnyaya Namah

Om Sarvasiddi pradaayakaaya Namah

Om Vajradamstraya Namah

Om Vajrakhaya Namah

Om Mahanamdaaya Namah

Om Paramtapaaya Namah

Om Sarvamaothreka rupaaya Namah

Om Sarvayantra-vidaranaya Namah

Om Sarvatam-tratmakaaya Namah

Om Avyaktaya Namah

Om Suvyaktaya Namah

Om Bhakthavatsalaaya Namah

Om Vaishaakha shukla bhutottaya Namah

Om Sharanagata vatsalaaya Namah

Om Udaarakirthiye Namah

Om Punyatmane Namah

Om Mahatmane Namah

Om Chanda vikramaaya Namah

Om Vedattraya prapujyaya Namah

Om Bhagavate Namah

Om Parameswaraaya Namah

Om Sri vatssmkaaya Namah

Om Srinivaasaya Namah

Om Jagadvyapine Namah

Om Jaganmayaaya Namah

Om Jagatpalaaya Namah

Om Jagannadaya Namah

Om Mahakaayaya Namah

Om Dviroopa-brute Namah

Om Paramatmane Namah

Om Paramjyotishye Namah

Om Nirgunaaya Namah

Om Nru kesarine Namah

Om Parathatvaya Namah

Om Paramdhamane Namah

Om Sachitananda vigrahaya Namah

Om Lakshminarasimhaya Namah

Om Sarvatmane Namah

Om Dheeraya Namah

Om Prahaladha palakaya Namah

[Mahabaratha] - Yaksha Prashna

2010-05-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

"Yaksha Prashna" in the Mahabarata is everything that One should know about Dharma, Bhagawan has mentioned about this Wonderful Episode of the Mahabarata many many times and the Questions by the Yaksha and the Brilliant answers by Dharmaja are the most wonderful seen in the Mahabarata.

Extracted from Yaksha Prashnas, a chapter in the Mahabaratha.

"What makes the sun shine everyday?"
"The Power Of Brahman."

"What rescues man in danger?"
"Courage is man's salvation in danger."

"By the study of which science does man become wise?"
"Not by studying any sastra does man become wise. It is by association with the great in wisdom that he gets wisdom."

"What is more nobly sustaining than the earth?"
"The mother who brings up the children she has borne is nobler and more sustaining than the earth."

"What is higher than the sky?"
"The father."

"What is fleeter than the wind?"
"The Mind."

"What is more blighted than withered straw?"
"A sorrow-stricken heart."

"What befriends a traveller?"
"Learning."

"Who is a friend of one who stays at home?"
"The Wife."

"Who accompanies a man at death?"
"Dharma. That alone accompanies the soul in its solitary journey after death."

"What is the biggest vessel?"
"The earth, which contains all within itself is the greatest vessel."

"What is happiness?"
"Happiness is the result of good conduct."

"What is that, abandoning which, man becomes loved by all?"
"Pride - for abandoning that man will be loved by all."

"What is the loss which yields joy and not sorrow?"
"Anger, for giving it up, we will no longer be subject to sorrow.""

What is that, by giving up which, man becomes rich?"
"Desire - getting rid of it, man becomes wealthy."

What is the sole means of Dharma?
Dexterity in the discharge of one�s Dharma is the sole means of Dharma.

What is the sole means of fame?
Charity is the sole means of fame!

What is the sole means of heaven?
Truthfulness is the sole means of heaven!

What is the sole means of happiness?
Good conduct is the sole means of happiness

Who is the soul of man?
Who else but one�s son? Son is the soul of man!

Who is a person's fate-ordained friend?
One's wife is the fate-ordained friend!

What could be the greatest of gains?
Health is the best of gains!

What is the greatest happiness?
Contentment is the greatest happiness!

What is greater than Dharma in the world?
Benevolence is greater than Dharma!

Which Dharma remains eternal for ever for all time to come?
What else but the Vedic Dharma which is eternal and fruitful for all time.

Subduing which, do men not grieve?
Men grieve not, by subduing their minds.

With whom does friendship never age?
Friendship with the good and wise never ages!

By abandoning which does man become loveable?
By abandoning pride, man becomes more loveable.

By abandoning which, do men not grieve?
By abandoning avarice, men do not grieve!

By abandoning which, does man becomes richer?
By abandoning desire!

By abandoning which man becomes happier?
By abandoning avarice, man will become happier!

What is penance (tapas) and how is it defined?
Penance is observing one's own Dharma!

What is self-control?
Self-control is the control of the mind!

What is said to be the greatest forbearance?
One's capacity to put up with the pairs of opposites such as heat and cold, richness and poverty, happiness and sorrow is what is called forbearance!

What is the sense of shame said to be?
Turning away from what ought not to be done is sense of shame!

What is supreme sympathy?
Wishing for the happiness of all is sympathy!

What is straight forwardness?
Equanimity of mind is straight forwardness!

Which is the enemy difficult to be overcome by men?
Anger is the enemy hard to be conquered!

Which is the endless disease?
Avarice is the endless malady!

What makes one a good man and what makes one bad?
A good man is one who is kind to one and all and a bad man is one who has no sense of sympathy!

What is the greatest bath?
Discarding one's mental impurity is the greatest bath!

What is the greatest gift in this world?
Protection of beings is the greatest gift!

What is greater than the earth?
Mother.

What is higher than the skies?
Father.

What is faster than the breeze?
The mind.

Who are the living dead?
A person who does not pay the dues to his servants, offer hospitality to his guests or prayers to God.

What is the wonder of wonders of human existence in this world?
Day after day, living beings pass away to the abode of Death in this world and every living human remains an eye-witness to it. But still, the rest desire to live. What greater wonder can there be than this?

* Thanks to Holy Trio Googel Groups

God Lives everywhere...

2010-05-12T00:46:00.000-07:00

இந்த குறும்படம், கண்டிப்பாக இந்து மதத்தை மட்டும் உயர்வு படுத்தி காண்பிக்க வேண்டும் என்ற நோக்கத்துடன் பகிர்வு செய்யப்படவில்லை. "மனித நேயமே கடவுள் குணத்தின் வெளிப்பாடு" என்ற கருத்தை மையமாக, இந்த குறும்படம் உணர்த்துகிறது - என்று கருதியதால் மட்டுமே இதை இந்த வலை பதிவில் பகிர்கிறேன். இப்பதிவு மற்ற மதத்தை சார்ந்த நண்பர்களை, புண் படுத்துவதாக கருதினால், தயவு செய்து என்னை மன்னிக்கவும்.

This video is not shared to intentionally praise the greatness of Hinduism. I am sharing this video in this blog since, I felt this video is saying that "Humanity is the thought of God". In case it hurts other religion friends, Kindly forgive me.

The Right time to seek the GOD

2010-05-12T00:08:00.000-07:00

Types of traditional weddings in Hinduism

2010-04-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

Eight Types of Hindu Weddings

Brahma marriage
According to the Brahma marriage, a boy is eligible to get married, once he has completed his Brahmacharya (student hood). Parents, who search for a bride for their son, would consider the family background of the girl, whom he is going to marry. On the other hand, the bride's father would ensure that the boy has acquired knowledge of the Vedas. This is how a Brahma marriage was arranged. There was no system of dowry. Among the eight types of marriage, brahma marriage holds a supreme position.

Daiva Marriage
In this type of marriage, the girl's family waits for a particular time, to get her married. If they do not find a suitable groom for their daughter, then they would marry her off to places, where sacrifices are conducted. In this case, the girl is generally married to a priest, who conducts sacrifices. According to the sastras, Daiva marriage is considered inferior to Brahma marriage, because it is considered degrading for the womanhood.

Arsha Marriage
Arsha marriage is the one, wherein the girl is married to the sages or rishis. References from dharmasastras tell us that in arsha marriage, the bride is given in exchange of two cows, received from the groom. The girl is generally married to an old sage. The cows, which were taken in exchange of the bride, shows that even the groom do not have any remarkable qualities. According to sastras, noble marriages had no monetary or business transactions. Therefore, these kind of marriages were not considered noble.

Prajapatya Marriage
Monetary transactions and Kanyadaan are not parts of Prajapatya marriage, unlike the Brahma marriage, where these two forms an important and basic part. Unlike the Brahma marriage, here, the bride's father goes in search for a groom for his daughter. The Brahma type is considered better than prajapatya, because in the former, the groom's family goes out to seek a suitable bride for their son.

Gandharva Marriage
Gandharva marriage is similar to love marriage. In this case, the bride and the groom get married secretly, without the knowledge of their parents. It is not considered a right kind of marriage, as it is done without the consent of the parents. This marriage reminds us of the love affair of the mythological characters - Sakuntala and Dushyanta.

Asura Marriage
In the Asura marriage, the groom is not at all suitable for the bride. Although the groom is not suitable for the bride, he willingly gives as much wealth as he can afford, to the bride's parents and relatives. Therefore, the system of marriage is more or less like buying a product, which makes it undesirable in the present time.

Rakshasa Marriage
According to Rakshasa marriage, the groom fights battles with the bride's family, overcomes them, carries her away and then persuades her to marry him. This is not considered as the righteous way to woo a girl for marriage, because forcible methods are used by the groom to tie the wedding knot.

Paishacha Marriage
Paishacha marriage is the eighth and last type of Hindu wedding. It is considered as the inferior type of marriage, because the girl's wish is not considered, even if she is not willing to marry the person chosen for her. In fact, she is forced to marry. Moreover, the bride's family is also not given anything in cash or kind. Literally, the girl is seized against her wish. Men would marry a woman, whom he had seduced while she was asleep, intoxicated or insane. This kind of marriage was later on prohibited.

Thanks to Hanumanta Rao

[Messages] - அன்றாடம் பின்பற்றுவதற்குரிய பத்து ஆன்மீக வழிகள்

2010-04-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

அன்றாடம்  பின்பற்றுவதற்குரிய  பத்து  ஆன்மீக  வழிகள்

100 ஆண்டுகள் வாழ்ந்து எல்லோருக்கும் நல்வழி காட்டிய காஞ்சி பரமாச்சாரியார் பூஜ்யஸ்ரீ சந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதிstrong> ஸ்வாமிகள்strong> நாம் அன்றாடம் பின்பற்றுவதற்குரிய பத்து ஆன்மீக வழிகளை கூறியுள்ளார்.

* காலையில் எழுந்தவுடன் இரண்டு நிமிடங்களாவது கடவுளை மனதில் நினைத்து பிரார்த்தனை செய்க.

* அன்றைய நாள், நல்ல நாளாக இருக்கவேண்டும் என்று இறைவனிடம் வேண்டிக்கொள்க.

* அடுத்து புண்ணிய நதிகளில், கோமாதா, சிரஞ்சீவிகள், சப்தகன்னியர்கள் முதலியவர்களைக் குறைந்தபட்சம் ஒரு நிமிடமாவது நினைக்கவேண்டும்.

* வாரத்தில் ஒரு நாளாவது அருகிலுள்ள திருக்கூவில்களுக்குச் சென்று கடவுளை வழிபடவேண்டும்.

* உன் பக்கத்தில் வாழ்பவர்களையும், மற்றவர்களையும் நேசிக்க வேண்டும்.

* சாப்பிடுவதக்கு முன்பு மிருகங்களுக்கோ, பட்சிகளுக்கோ ஆகாரம் அளித்துவிட்டு பிறகு சாப்பிடவும்.

* அன்றாடம் குறைந்தபட்சம் உங்கள் சக்திக்கேற்றபடி தருமம் செய்க.

* நெற்றியில் தவறாமல் திலகம் வைத்துக்கொள்க.

* உறங்கச் செல்வதற்கு முன்பு அன்றைய நாளில் செய்த நல்லவை, கெட்டவைகளை எண்ணிப்பார்க்கவும்.

* ஆண்டவன் நாமத்தை நூற்றியெட்டு முறை உச்சரித்துவிட்டு, பின்பு உறங்குக.

* Thanks to http://www.ithazh.com

[Messages] - From Mother Teresa

2010-04-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

~ This is a quote from a poet, that Mother Teresa loved and posted.

* Thanks to Holy Trio Google Groups.

Mritunjaya Mantra Meaning

2010-04-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

Maha mritiyunjeya matra is a prayer to the lord Shiva for help in defeat the death. In hindu rituals, the physical death will happen again and again from one form to other until the inner aatma ends up its desire and completed its devotional obligation. The virtual death is the desire of this mantra which not concerned more on physical death. It request the lord shiva to obtain the Moksha (Immortal state of Live), i.e., surrender ourself to the GOD and become a devotee in Mountain kailash without any birth again. This mantra also called as "Markandeya Mantra" (Markandeya is a person who cheated his death). This mantra should be repeated 108 Times, twice daily, at early morning and after sunset. This mantra is very useful for initial meditation and gain the mental/physical strength.

Mantra :
(In English)

   Aum Trayambakam Yajamahe, Suganthim Pushti Vardhanam;
   Urva Rukamiva Bandhannan, Mrityor Mokshiye Maamritat.

(In Sanskrit)

   ॐ त्रियम्बकं यजामहे, सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनं;
   उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मोक्षिय मामृतात्

(In Tamil)

   ஓம் த்ரியம்பகம் யஜா மஹே, சுகந்திம் புஷ்டி வர்தனம்;
   உருவாருகமிவ பந்தனான், ம்ரித்யோர் மோக்ஷியே மா அம்ருதாத்.

Meaning :

Aum, ॐ, ஓம் - pranava matram (பிரணவ மந்திரம்)
Trayambakam, त्रियम्बकं த்ரியம்பகம் - Three Eyed God (மூன்று கண்களை உடைய பெருமானே)
Yajamahe, यजामहे, யஜா மஹே - We worshiping (போற்றி வணங்குகிறோம்)
Suganthim, सुगन्धिं, சுகந்திம் - Fragrant (வாசனைகளை உடைய)
Pushti vardhanam, पुष्टिवर्धनं, புஷ்டி வர்தனம் - Who is Nourishing and make us growing (உண்ண உணவு அளிப்பவரும், மற்றும் நம் வளர்ச்சிக்கு காரணமானவரும்)
Urva Rukamiva, उर्वारुकमिव, உருவாருகமிவ - As the ripened cucumber (காம்பில் இருந்து முதிர்ந்து விழும் விளா பழத்தை போல)
Bandhanaan, बन्धनान्, பந்தனான் - Release from Bondage (பந்தங்களில் இருந்து விடுவித்தல்)
Mrityor Mokshiye, मृत्योर्मोक्षिय, ம்ரித்யோர் மோக்ஷியே - Liberate us from death (மரணத்தில் இருந்து விடுவித்தல்)
Maamritat, मामृतात्, மா அம்ருதாத் - for immortality (அழியா தன்மையை அடைய)

We pray the Lord Shiva who is having three eyes in his face and who is fragrant like flowers, and who nourishing us with the food and make us growing. Like the cucumber fruit gets riped from its comb, the lord needs to release from the bondage of life and liberated us from the death and make us the immortal like GOD.

மூன்று கண்களை உடைய, சுகந்தமான நறுமணத்தை உடைய, நம் எல்லோருக்கும் உணவு அளிப்பவரும், நம்மை வளர்ச்சி அடைய செய்பவருமான சிவ பெருமானை போற்றி வணங்குகிறோம். விளா பழம் எப்படி தன் காம்பில் இருந்து பிரிந்து விழுகிறதோ, அதே போல நம்மை பந்தங்களில் இருந்து விடுவித்து, மரணம் என்னும் பயத்தில் இருந்து விடுவித்து, அழியாத நிலை அதாவது மோக்ஷ நிலை அடைய செய்வாயாக. என்றும் அழியாதவனே ஈஸ்வரா.

MP3 Version of this mantra is available at : http://findtamilmp3.blogspot.com/2010/04/maha-mrityunjaya-mantra-mp3-meaning.html

[Mantra] - MANTRA Of AVALOKITESHVARA Video With Lyrics

2010-03-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

TIBETAN INCANTATIONS MANTRA OF AVALOKITESHVARA LYRICS

Namo Ratna Trayaya,
Namo Arya Jnana
Sagara, Vairochana,
Byuhara Jara Tathagataya,
Arahate, Samyaksam Buddhaya,
Namo Sarwa Tathagate Bhyay,
Arhata Bhyah,
Samyaksam Buddhe Bhyah,
Namo Arya Avalokite
shoraya Bodhisattvaya,
Maha Sattvaya,
Maha Karunikaya,
Tadyata, Om Dara Dara,
Diri Diri, Duru Duru
Itte We, Itte Chale Chale,
Purachale Purachale,
Kusume Kusuma Wa Re,
Ili Milli, Chiti Jvalam, Apanaye Shoha

Mantra as it is in Kannada Language

ನಮೋ ರತ್ನ ತ್ರಯಾಯ
ನಮೋ ಆರ್ಯ ಜನನ
ಸಾಗರ, ವೈರೋಚನ,
ಬ್ಯುಹಾರ ಜರ ತಥಗತಯ,
ಅರಹತೆ, ಸಂಯಕ್ಸಂ ಬುದ್ಧಯ,
ನಮೋ ಸರ್ವ ತಥಗತೆ ಭ್ಯಃ,
ನಮೋ ಆರ್ಯ ಅವಲೋಕಿತೆ
ಶೋರಾಯ ಬೋಧಿಸತ್ತ್ವಯ,
ಮಹಾ ಸತ್ತ್ವಯ,
ಮಹಾ ಕರುನಿಕಯ,
ತಡ್ಯಾತ, ಓಂ ದರ ದರ,
ದಿರಿ ದಿರಿ, ದೂರು ದೂರು
ಇತ್ತೇ ವೀ, ಇತ್ತೇ ಚಲೇ ಚಲೇ,
ಪುರಚಲೇ ಪುರಚಲೇ,
ಕುಸುಮೆ ಕುಸುಮ ವ ರೆ,
ಇಲಿ ಮಿಲ್ಲಿ, ಚಿಟಿ ಜ್ವಲಂ, ಅಪನಯೇ ಶೋಹ

Mantra as it is in Tamil Language

நமோ ரத்னா திரையாய

நமோ ஆர்யா ஜனன

சகர, வைரோசன,

ப்யுஹர சர ததகடாய,

அரஹடே, சம்யக்சம் புத்தய,

நமோ சர்வா ததகடே பியை,

அற்ஹட பியாஹ்,

சம்யக்சம் புத்தே பியாஹ்,

நமோ ஆர்யா அவளோகிடே

சோறைய போதிசட்ட்வய,

மஹா சட்ட்வய,

மஹா கருநிகைய,

தட்யட, ஓம் தர தர,

திரி திரி, துரு துரு

இட்டே வி, இட்டே சலே சலே,

புரச்சலே புரச்சலே,

குசுமே குசும வா ரே,

ல்லி மில்லி, சிடி ஜ்வலம், அபநே ஷோஹா.

[Messages] - From Complete works of Swami Vivekananda (RAJA YOGA LESSONS)

2010-03-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

Three things are necessary to the student who wishes to succeed in attaining god.

First. Give up all ideas of enjoyment in this world and the next, care only for God and Truth. We are here to know truth, not for enjoyment. Leave that to brutes who enjoy as we never can. Man is a thinking being and must struggle on until he conquers death, until he sees the light. He must not spend himself in vain talking that bears no fruit. Worship of society and popular opinion is idolatry. The soul has no sex, no country, no place, no time.

Second. Intense desire to know Truth and God. Be eager for them, long for them, as a drowning man longs for breath. Want only God, take nothing else, let not "seeming" cheat you any longer. Turn from all and seek only God.

Third. The six trainings: First — Restraining the mind from going outward. Second — Restraining the senses. Third — Turning the mind inward. Fourth — Suffering everything without murmuring. Fifth — Fastening the mind to one idea. Take the subject before you and think it out; never leave it. Do not count time. Sixth — Think constantly of your real nature. Get rid of superstition. Do not hypnotise yourself into a belief in your own inferiority. Day and night tell yourself what you really are, until you realise (actually realise) your oneness with God.

Without these disciplines, no results can be gained.

We can be conscious of the Absolute, but we can never express It. The moment we try to express It, we limit It and It ceases to be Absolute.

We have to go beyond sense limit and transcend even reason, and we have the power to do this.

Source: http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_8/vol_8_frame.htm

[Messages] - Swami Vivekananda Concluding remarks in Parliament of Religion

2010-03-23T03:30:00.000-07:00

The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth; or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant, it develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth, and the water, converts them into plant substance, and grows into a plant.

Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.

If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world it is this: It has proved to the world that holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of the others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance: "Help and not Fight," "Assimilation and not Destruction," "Harmony and Peace and not Dissension."

- Swami Vivekanada

* Thanks to Holy Trio Google Groups.

[Messages] - Sri RamaKrishna about Compassion and attachment

2010-03-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Whatever work Vidyasagara has done for others has been very good and helpful. To be kind and compassionate is also good; but there is a difference between compassion and attachment.Compassion is good, but attachment is not. Attachment is love for wife, children, brother, sister, father, mother and other relatives, while true compassion is equal love for all living creatures.

Mahendra: Is compassion also a bondage?

Ramakrishna: This question is not for ordinary mortals.Compassion is the result of the Sattwa quality. The Sattwa quality is protective, the Rajas quality is creative, and Tamas is destructive: but Brahman the Absolute is beyond these three qualities, Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas. It is also beyond Prakriti or nature. Where there is absolute Reality, no quality of nature can reach. As a thief cannot go to the exact spot where the treasure is, because he is afraid of being caught, so Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas, like thieves, cannot go to the realm where, is the treasure of the Absolute. [p. 253]

Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA Revised by SWAMI ABHEDANANDA

* Thanks to Holy Trio Google Groups

Which Wolf will win???

2010-03-04T01:57:00.000-08:00

The TWO WOLVES ADVICE:

One evening an old man told his grandson about a battle

that goes on inside people. He said,

"M y son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all".

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy , jealous y , sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity , guilt, resentment, inferiorit y , lies, false pride, superiorit y , and ego".

"The other is Good - It is joy , peace, love, hope, serenit y , humility , kindness, benevolence, empathy , generosit y , truth, compassion and faith".

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old man simply replied, "The one you feed"!

[Messages] - Sri Ramakrishna Says About Effect Of Lectures On Worldly Men

2010-03-04T00:52:00.000-08:00

Give thousands of lectures, you cannot do anything with worldly men. Can you drive a nail into a stone wall? The head will be broken without making any impression on the wall. Strike the back of an alligator with a sword, it will receive no impression.

A calf cannot stand on its legs all at once. It falls down, gets up, falls again, and then it learns to stand and run. You do not know who is a Bhakta (godly) and who is worldly; but that is not your fault. When a heavy storm blows, one cannot distinguish Tamarind from Mangotree. It is true, however, that no one can absolutely renounce all works without realizing God.

The question is, how long should Sandhya (rituals) and other ceremonial works be practised? So long as the Holy Name of the Lord does not bring tears of love to the eyes and produce horripilation in the body.

* Thanks to Holy Trio Google Groups

[Messages] - Sri Ramakrishna Says With Devotion TO God Mind Will Stand Apart From The World

2010-02-26T03:47:00.000-08:00

If you want butter, you must curdle the milk and set it in a place where no one can disturb it; otherwise the curd will not stand. Then churn it and the butter will rise. Similarly the neophyte should sit in solitude and not be disturbed by worldly-minded people; then through the churning of the settled mind by the practice of meditation the butter of Divine Love will be acquired.

If you give your mind to God in solitude, you will obtain the spirit of true renunciation and absolute devotion. If you give the same mind to the world, it will grow worldly and think of woman and gold. The world may be likened to water, and the mind to milk. Pure milk once mixed with water cannot be separated from it; but if it is first turned into butter and then placed in water, it can remain separate.

Let the milk of your mind be turned into the butter of Divine Love by means of religious practices in solitude. The mind then will never get mixed with the water of worldliness, but will rise above and remain unattached to the world. Having attained true knowledge and devotion the mind will stand apart from the world.

* This Small Story inspired me very much and i was thinking about it on very deeply, pranam to Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

* Thanks for sharing this valuable message from Holy Trio Google Groups.

[Messages] - Sri RamaKrishna suggests How to recognize a saint

2010-02-26T03:33:00.001-08:00

Householder: Revered Sir, how can we know or recognize a saint?

Ramakrishna: He is a saint whose heart, soul, and inner nature have turned towards God; he who has renounced woman and wealth. A saint does not look at women with the eye of desire; if he comes near a woman, he sees the Divine Mother in her and worships her. His thoughts are always on God and his words are of Him.

He sees God everywhere and knows that by serving others, he serves Him. These are some of the outward signs of a saint.Householder: Revered Sir, is it necessary to remain long in solitude? Ramakrishna: Until right discrimination is acquired.[p. 77 & 78]

Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA Revised by SWAMI ABHEDANANDA

* Thanks to Holy Trio Google Groups

Why we need to read Bhagavath Gita

2010-02-26T02:00:00.000-08:00

Why We Should Read the Bhagavad Gita

This is a beautiful story - it might inspire you!

An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson.
Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavad Gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavad Gita just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagavad Gita do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavad Gita. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out.
That is the work of Krishna in our lives."

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This story doesn't reveals the actual greatness of the bhagavath Gita as it stands for. But this story defenetly induce the peoples to start reading the Gita at initial. The Bhagavath Gita is for every one's soul not for physical. If you start feeling the Krishna, of course you are following the Gita... Keep going on Krishna's way... Be human and Don't eat meat...

Tulsi - Goddess Gifted by the GOD

2010-02-26T01:20:00.000-08:00

TULSI THE MOST PRECIOUS BUT A FREE GIFT OF NATURE TO MANKIND

The sacred TULSI herbal plant known as OCIMUM BASILICUM or LAMIACEAE in the whole world particularly in our country is widely famous for its multi medicinal properties. It is a free gift from mother NATURE to the mankind and cheapest of all. Every one can afford to have it in his garden or orchid to use its leaves, seeds, roots for many ailments and for healthy upkeep of the body at no cost at all. It is worshipped in many homes in our country for its healing properties, fragrance, royal aroma and flavor. Tusi means not comparable. Its medicinal properties effectiveness cannot be described in words. It helps to nourish mind and inspire the spirit to the desired heights. It is the purest and most sublime plant which every house should have as its very presence keeps the insects and many ailments much away from the family. Hence in Hindu temples it is normally mixed in CHARNAMRIT .and the PRASAD etc.

TULSI or HOLY BASIL relieves flatulence. Its essential oil is very effective and contains vitamin A & C.

We all know that Tulsi leaves taken with black pepper check malaria and periodic fever and other ailments. Steam of its boiled leaves is used for fomentation of the affected parts. Its use after yogic Asanas and breath control exercises is very effective. It is very effective for poor digestion, lack of appetite, constipation, acidity, labour pains, snake bites (by using tulsi juice mixed with black pepper seeds), acne and ring worm. Tulsi seeds control urinary pain. Use it for gargle or mouth wash for thrush, as a herb for increased energy and as a eye wash for tired eyes. Its oil is used for massage and dried herb burned as an antiseptic incense in many homes.

To sum up in brief the following uses to which it is put have made this plant as elixir and in Greek the Basileus means the king..

It reduces the intensity and negative effect of stress, mental tension, emotional difficulties, poor life style habits, infection, pollution etc etc.
Protect cells from damage and check excess oxidation.
Its leaves are nerve tonic and sharpen memory.
Remove phlegm from bronchial tube.
Contains calcium, zinc, iron and chlorophyll
Tea boiled with its leaves check fever in rainy season, malaria, and even dengue fever.
Its leaves boiled with powdered cardamom with sugar and milk in half a liter water when taken brings down the temperature.
Its leaves are used in Ayurvedic cough syrups. Check asthma and bronchitis.
Chewing its leaves relieves cold and flu.
Sore throat can be treated with boiled tulsi water and for gargles.
It checks aging process.
Influenza is controlled by having a decoction of leaves, cloves and common salt.
Decoction of leaves, GINGER AND HONEY IS BEST FOR COUGH, Asthama, cold and influenza.
Tulsi strengthen the kidneys.Juice of tulsi leaves and honey can check renal stone and even can expel the stone through urinary tract if used for 6 months daily..
It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.
For children ailments such as cough, cold fever, diarrhea, vomiting its juice is effective.
Chew 12 leaves daily twice a day for a healthy life.
It checks painful inflammation caused by arthritis and cancer.
Mouth ulcer and infection are checked by its use by chewing the leaves.
Tulsi juice is useful for skin disorders, ringworm and even for leucoderma etc.
It checks teeth disorders. Dried leave after made powder be used for brushing teeth. The powder can be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste for teeth brushing and for checking bad breath/ massaging gums.
Helps healthy liver functions and to check liver diseases.
Decoction of leaves mixed with sandalwood paste be applied on forehead to check headaches.
Tulsi juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night blindness caused by lack of vitamin A
Its low toxicity provides no adverse reactions or other side effects.
It purifies the blood and prevent negative physical and psychological effects of stress.
Tulsi improves stamina, strength and endurance etc.

TULSI HAS MIRACULOUS MEDICINAL BENEFITS SUCH AS AN ADOPTAGEN, ANTI OXIDANT, ANTIBIOTIC PROTECTIVE, IMMUNO MODULATOR, HOLISTIC HEALTH PROMOTER AND A GOOD /CHEAP HEALER.

Lastly, in short each part of the PIOUS AND THE SACRED TULSI Plant is in it self a home doctor and its medical medicinal properties can help us to check our various ailments, provided we know how to make it useable in various situations and also make it a point to keep its PLANT in our houses, in every garden, offices and schools. The school children may be given due information/ knowledge about its usefulness along with Yogic teachings etc so that the poorest man and the rich both in our country may get benefit of this holy herb in all in their day to day life .in all situations to make our countrymen healthy ,wise and free from many ailments which plague us today.

Story of Tulsi

The story of Tulsi and the holiday known as Tusli Vivaha is a wonderfully symbolic story that resonates even today.

Tulsi Vivaha, is the mythical marriage of the tulsi plant and Krishna, is celebrated on the 11th day of the bright half of the lunar month of Kartika. The festival is popular in all parts of India and particularly in the south.

In the Vedic tradition there is a rishi by the name of Narada who is the son of Brahma, the creator. He takes the role of cosmic instigator. He is always sneaking in and out of these stories, usually starting things off by making devious suggestions which his unsuspecting target eagerly agrees to. Of course there are all sorts of interesting consequences and they are what make up the core of these stories.

During the time that Krishna was here on earth, the gods in heaven decided that he had been away long enough and that they missed him. They wanted him to come back to heaven. So with Narada, they hatched a plan to get Krishna to return.

While here on earth, Krishna had 2 wives; Satyabhama and Rukmini. Queen Satyabhaama enquired of the Rishi Narada how she could ensure that she would have Krishna as her husband in her next life. Narada told the Queen, and truthfully so, that you receive in the next life that which you give away in this life as charity (Daan in sanskrit). So Satyabhaama immediately gave Krishna away to Narada and they left immediately so that Krishna could go back to heaven.
But Krishna's wives Rukmini and Satyabhama sorely missed their husband, and both requested Narada to bring Krishna back. Narada said that they would have to give the gods something equal to the weight of Krishna if he was to return from heaven. Proud of all the jewels and valuables that Krishna had given her, Satyabhama set up a large weighing balance scale. Krishna came and sat on one side. Satyabhama, who as befits a Queen, was rather arrogant and brought out all her jewels and gold and silver pots to weigh against Krishna. But the more she piled onto the balance scale, the lighter her side became. Krishna just became heavier and heavier. Reduced to angry tears, she finally gave up.

Satyabhama asked Rukmini to do what she could. Rukmini removed all the gold and gems from the scale and plucked a few leaves of the wild tulsi plant growing nearby. She put them on the scale with all her love. The leaves proved to be far heavier than Krishna. With a smile, Krishna returned to earth to be with his wives.

Since that time, a tulsi leaf is added to any auspicious gift. A father also places a tulsi leaf in his daughter's hand during the Kanyadaan - giving away of the daughter during a Hindu marriage ceremony.

On Tulsi Vivaha the yagya tradition is for the tulsi plant to be dressed up as if it were a murti. The ceremony of Vishnu’s marriage is reenacted in a uja called Kalyana Utsavam. A dainty wedding pavilion (mandap) is made of sugarcane stalks and the tulsi plant is decorated with a yellow bridal sari, miniature jewellery and red kumkum powder. Krishna wears a golden crown and the traditional bridegroom's attire. The wedding is conducted with complete wedding puja and homa rites. The Tulsi plant is offered a feast of seasonal berries, new tamarind, turmeric, amla fruit and rice. Krishna is offered sweets made of milk.

You might ask why it was that Rukmini, who was really Lakshmi, offered the tulsi plant to Krishna in this story. As is frequently the case in Vedic stories, it begins with a demon who has gained too much power and is troubling the gods. Since the strength of the gods can not always equal that of the demons, the gods have to win by some form of trickery. Of course ultimately it backfires and the gods have make amends.

In this case, there was a demon who was a famous warrior by the name of Jalandhar. By constantly annoying, fighting and defeating the gods he made his fellow demons happy and more and more of the universe came under their control. Jalandhar had a wonderful wife by the name of Vrinda who was a pure and spiritually dedicated soul and a powerful yogi in her own right. Because of her purity and spiritual strength, Jalandhar became invincible in all three worlds.

Desperately, the gods tried to find some way to defeat Jalandhar. Vishnu developed a plan and sent messengers to tell Vrinda that her husband had been killed in battle. The severed head and body of two monkeys were put in front of her, and after reciting some mantras, Vishnu, through his magical powers made her believe it was her husband’s dead body and she was plunged into grief.

Then Vishnu snuck away and took the form of a sadhu and seemingly innocent, walked by Vrinda. Faking compassion, Vishnu recited some mantras and joined the head and the body together again. Vishnu quickly took the form of Vrinda’s husband who thought that her husband Jalandhar stood there in front of her. She embraced him with passion and relief. But quickly she realized her mistake and discovered that it was in fact, Vishnu. In that conservative era, she immediately lost her spiritual virtue and power for having touched the body of man who was not her husband. She was distraught at having been tricked, but it was of no use. After Vrinda had lost her holiness and purity, Jalandhar lost the source of his power, and was killed in battle.
When Vrinda came to know the full truth of her husband’s death, she was wild with anger and cursed Vishnu saying, “Your wife will be taken away from you and you will have to ask help from monkeys to recover her.” A rishi’s curse is a powerful thing and not even the gods can escape it. It was after all, the result of Vishnu’s own actions coming back to him.

As we well know, this curse was realized when Vishnu took the form as Rama and Sita was taken from him only to be saved again by Hanuman, the monkey god.

After issuing her curse, Vrinda prepared the funeral pyre for her husband and jumped into the fire. Vishnu, whose job it is to protect everyone in creation, was very sorry because as a result of his deceit the poor widow had committed suicide. He remained sitting at the side of the pyre for many days, deep in depression. Worried about him because he was neglecting his cosmic duties, the gods planted three medicinal trees in the cremation ground; Tulsi, Amala, and Jasmine. Of these three trees the Tulsi was most dear to Vishnu and to this day is used in his worship rituals Because Vrinda had for a while truly believed Vishnu to be her husband, when Vishnu appeared as Krishna, Vrinda came in the form of Rukmini and on the day which we celebrate as Tulsi Vivaha, they were married.

Thanks to KrishnaBaghvan group and puja.net

[Messages] - Purity & Readiness of Mind

2010-02-24T02:24:00.000-08:00

Bacteria grows & thrives in

sub-normal healthy conditions.

It cannot breed in places which are kept

scruplously clean, well lit &

ventilated with clean fresh air.

So too, Avidya / Ajnaana finds minds & hearts with

subnormal inner conditions as congenial resorts;

Minds, infested by darkness & dirt of unrighteousness, untruthfulness, jealousy, etc.,

topped by Ego, being the biggest obstacle.

Sacred knowledge canNot enter /& survive in

such Minds.

The 'Sublime Significance' of Jnaana or Highest Learning

with its

Subtleties & Nuances,

can be grasped only when the mind is

Ready -Unobstructed -Pure.

Jnaana can only be communicated 'successfully'

when such a mind receives it &

Sheds its Revealing Light !

* Thanks to Holy Trio Google Groups

[Quotes] - Selected Quotes from Mother Sarada Devi

2010-02-18T23:10:00.000-08:00

சாடுகிறார் சாரதாதேவியார்
* மனிதப்பிறவி துன்பங்கள் நிறைந்ததுதான். இதற்காக எந்த துன்பத்தைக் கண்டும் பயப்பட வேண்டாம். துன்பத்தை தாங்கி, அதை சமாளிப்பவரே மனிதரில் சிறந்தவர் ஆவார். இறைவனின் திருநாமத்தைச் சொல்லிக் கொண்டே இருந்தால், துன்பங்களை பொறுத்துக் கொள்ளும் பக்குவம் தாமாகவே வந்துவிடும்.

* பணத்தின் மீது ஈடுபாடு கொண்டால் மனம் அழுக்காகிவிடும். பணம், பொருள் இவற்றில் நம் மனத்தைச் செலுத்தத் தொடங்கினால், வேறு திசையில் செல்லத் தொடங்கி விடுவோம். பேராசைக்காரர்களே! போதும் என்ற மனநிறைவோடு வாழ்வதே உங்கள் மகிழ்ச்சிக்கு வழிவகுக்கும்.

* மனிதர்களிடம் அன்பு செலுத்தினால் அந்த அன்பினை அவர்கள் உதாசீனப்படுத்தலாம். ஆனால், ஆண்டவன் மீது அன்பு காட்டினால் அவன் நம் அன்பை முழுமையாக ஏற்றுக் கொள்வார். அதனால் எப்போதும் இன்பம் மட்டும் இருக்குமேயன்றி, துன்பம் இருக்காது.

* தண்ணீரின் இயல்பு கீழ்நோக்கிப் பாய்வது தான். ஆனாலும், தண்ணீர் மீது விழும் சூரியனின் கிரணங்கள், அத்தண்ணீரை வானத்திற்கு உயர்த்தி விடுகின்றன. இதைப்போலவே, தாழ்ந்த விஷயங்கள், போகப்பொருட்கள் இவற்றை நோக்கி மனிதன் கீழ்நோக்கிச் செல்கின்றான். ஆனால், இறைவனுடைய அருள் மனிதன் மீது விழும் போது, அவன் உயர்ந்த நிலையை அடைகிறான்.

Taken From Dinamalar

[Special] - THAKUR TITHI PUJA 2010

2010-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

THAKUR TITHI PUJA 2010

Hridayasarvaswa mama prabho Jagatornatha swamine,
Sthitha pragya sarvato sriman,Ramakrishna namadharine !!1!!

Sukla dwitiya tithi Abhirbhutestu falgune,
Kamarpuskhkar iti peetha, vishnave shivaswaroopine !!2!!

Rakachandrasama anana vichitrasamadhi drishyate,
Vedantamurta vigrahau twam karuna-mukti pradayine !!3!!

Aho Natha Sarvadharma sara sarvagunorddha nirgundarshane,
Namaste tava pranaballabha,Ramakrishna mama swamine !!4!!

With prayers and pranams on 175th birth anniversary of The Supreme Lord.
Jay Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishnadev ki Jay!

Let's Celebrate Mahasivarathri

2010-02-10T23:55:00.000-08:00

Why do we celebrate Mahashivratri :

"Gyanm ichyaet sadashiv, moksham ichyaet janardan"

Meaning is one should worship Shiva for spiritual knowledge and Janardan (Vishnu) for the Final Liberation (Moksha).

Ru means to cry and dra means to run: Rudra is one who makes us cry or who runs while crying, now we need to contemplate on this word. Why Rudra is realy means one vanquishes (run) the sorrow and metirial world (World of sorrow and the cause of crying).

Rut means truth or one who knows truth and the one who bestows truth on worshipers is Rudra.

There are three stories which are associated with this special day:

   1. Once Adi Shakti Parvatiji asked Lord Shiva which Vrata and
       day was the best in terms of giving maximum punyas & his blessings.
   So Lord Shiva himself revealed about this auspicious day.

   2. On this day manifested the great & also the first ever
       Jyotirmaya form (Anala-skanda) of Lord Shiva in front of Lord Vishnu
       & Brahmaji. Lord Shiv is the Saguna Roopa of that Jyotirmaya Form.

   3. On this day there was also supposed to have been the
        marriage of Lord Shiva with Adi Shakti.

The story of the hunter on Mhashivratri day is the spiritual journey
of you and me.

The hymn glorifies Lord Shiva, as the universal supreme force in the
earth. In the Yajurveda "RUDRA" prasna (rahasya) is the most important
component whereas in the Panchakshara manthra OM NAMA SHIVAYA is more
important. OM NAMA SHIVAYA appears in Yajur Veda in the middle. Chanting of the Rudram in rhythm, purifies the entire atmosphere and wipes out distress in our lives.

Chant the mantra `Om Namah Shivaya' entire day and practise Dhyana
for longer periods than the usual routine. Remain more introvert on
this day contemplating about the truths of life. And have darshan of
Lord Shiva where He is properly and regularly worshipped.

Mahashivaratri will fall on 11th Feburary on Thursdsay in 2010
4.00 A.M
Sri Ganapati Avahan poojan

5.00 A.M
Kalasa Sthapana, Devi Avahan and Poojan Archana, Arati

6.30 P.M

Mahanyasa Parayana, Prathama Kala Abhisheka
Trisati Archana, 300 names of Lord Shiv Arati
Bilva Archna, Lingaashtakam, Mantrapushpam,

10.30 P.M
Dwiteeya Kala Abhishekam
Manyu Sookta, Bilva Ashtottara Sata Nama Archana
Shri Uma Maheshwar Strotam, Arati, Mantrapushpam,

February 19th

1.0 A.M
Triteeya Kala Abhisheka
Shiv Sahasra 1008 names of Lord Shiva, Sri Rudra Krama Archana
Daridyadahan Shiv Strotam, Arati, Mantrapushpam,

3.00 A.M
Chaturtha Kala Abhisheka Sri Siva Ashtottara Satanama Archana
Arati, Mantrapushpam,

5.00 A.M
Sri Lalita Sahasranama Pooja, Sri Siva Kavacha Parayana
Arati, Mantrapushpam,

6.00 A.M
Sri Nandikeswara Abhisheka, mangal aarti

The one who recites his name will not fear death.

shiveshaanaaM mahaadevaM vaamadevaM sadaashivam.h |
namaami shirasaa devaM kiM no mR^ityuH karishhyati

Jai Shiv onkara, Prabhu jai Shiv onkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv ardhangi dhara

sham karoti iti Shankar

sham means welfare and karoti is the doer. Thus the one who is responsible for one's welfare is Shankar.

Everywhere I go; people ask me why we perform rituals. First try to know the science behind these rituals, the truth behind the ritual will appear on its own. Every one needs the discipline first to pass the exam. Rituals make abstract philosophy palatable to earnest aspirants. They are the ridge poles, as it were, of the spiritual roof. If they are pulled down due to ignorance ,religion will lose its vitality .Rituals have poetic, aesthetic and sublime elements which make religious functions convivial that men, women and children, pure in body, mind and attire, joyously partake in them.

Lord Mrityunjay Mahadev is the winner of death. Meditate and worship
on Mrityunjay Mahadev you can escape from miseries and troubles of
this materialistic world as well as the problems related to inner
soul. He devours/displels our troubles, tensions, stress as well as
our ego.

Mahamrityunjaya THE BEING who allows us to conquered death, death of
emotions, fears, wrong doing, karma dhosha, evil effects or words and
evil eye. Through his worship, Sadhana and meditation one can banish
the fear of death forever from one's life. This is why Maarkandey
Rishi sang - Chandrashekharaashraye Mam Kim Karishyati Vei Yamah i.e.
"When I am in the protection of Lord Chandrashekhar then how can Yama,
the Lord of death harm me."

Meditate on the Name, worship the Name, and through the Name, you
shall be absorbed in intuitive peace and poise.

Let us reflect upon spiritual rest, spiritual renewal, spiritual
healing and celebration created to enlighten, encourage, educate and
empower ourselves and then the mankind.

Thanks to Rajyalaxmi (Om_Nama_Shivaya Group)

Spirtual Messages group wishes every one for Lord Shiva's Blessings on Maha sivarathiri prayers...

[Quotes] - How to attain Freedom - Swami Vivekananda.

2010-02-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

There is only one way to attain that infinite freedom, and that is by giving up this little life, giving up this little universe, giving up this earth, giving up heaven, giving up the body, giving up the mind, giving up everything that is limited and conditioned. If we give up our attachment to this little universe of the sense or of the mind, we shall be free immediately. The only way to come out of bondage is to go beyond the limitations of law, to go beyond causation

Class on Karma Yoga. New York, January 10, 1896. Complete Works, 1.97.

[Messages] - Sri RamaKrishna's parable of a farmer who was an Advaita Jnani

2010-02-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

Those who follow monistic (Advaita) Vedanta, however, look upon this world as unreal, like a dream. According to them Paramatman, or the Over-Soul, is the witness of the three states of consciousness,--waking, dream and dreamless sleep. All these are ideas. The dream state is just as real as the waking state. Let me tell you a story.

Parable of the farmer and his only child

There was a farmer who was a monist; he had attained to some realization. He lived like any other farmer with his family, and he had a child. He and his wife had extreme love for this son because he was their only child. The farmer himself was a very spiritual man.

He was respected and loved by everyone in the village. Once he was working in the field, when suddenly a man brought the news of his son's severe illness. He went home, called physicians, took great care, but could not save the child's life.

Everybody in the household was overwhelmed with grief, but the farmer looked as if nothing had happened. He consoled others by saying, "What can be gained by mourning over the child?" The next day he went to the field as usual, and after finishing his work he came home and found his wife and the other members of the family still weeping and wailing and plunged in deep sorrow.

The wife reproached him, saying: "How heartless you are! you have not shed a single tear for your only child." The farmer then calmly replied: "Shall I tell you why I do not weep? Last night I had a wonderful dream.

I saw that I was a king, and the father of eight beautiful children, and that I was enjoying all the pleasures and comforts of life. Suddenly I woke up and the dream passed away. Now I am in great confusion,--whether I shall weep and wail for my eight children or for this only one." [p. 93& 94]

The farmer was an Advaita Jnani, therefore he realized that the waking state was as unreal as the dream state, and that the one permanent Reality was Atman. But I accept all states as true,--the state of Samadhi, which is the fourth state, and again, the waking, dream and dreamless sleep state. I accept Brahman the Absolute and Maya, Jiva (the individual soul) and the world. If I do not take all, a portion will be missing and the weight will be less.

Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA Revised by SWAMI ABHEDANANDA